Winter 2007 Volume 29, Issue 4

AKA’s 30th All Wet in Ocean Shores Kitemaking: Pollock Redux KAPping the Convention The Face of Sport Kiting’s Future? Over The Falls in Niagara Bell’s Cygnet Anniversary Dieppe’s Mardi Gras in the Sky Bogotá, WSIKF, Antigua

Our Bag and Sale has been expanded!! CONTENTS All Designer on Sale! Bogota and One of a kinds, Art Kites 3 Antigua 22 Kite Plan 34 and Limited Editions Flying on moun- Jim Martin’s a tain time, flying real card on island time BmmpoTbmfOpx"

Cover Me So you want 5 Bell’s 100th 24 36 your photo on Kiters party the front of at Alexander Kiting... Graham’s crib

Niagara 8 Kites try to 26 Dieppe Give the Gift of Kite Flying! bridge the gorge Flying with Kites make great ragin’ Cajuns in gifts for Christmas, between nations Valentines, Birthdays, Acadia Graduations, Weddings, and Anniversaries See our selection on the web at: Kiteman elmersflag.com K-Files 12 Productions 28 503-282-1214 • 800-547-8795 38 Kevin Sanders Maybe it really more than a kite store… America’s Largest Flag Store! shows his stripes is rocket science Visit our kite blog for news and reviews! Down Under kitestoo.com after all

Voices From 52 14 The Vault 30 WSIKF 2 AKA Directory Nancy Lockwood A tree grows in 4 President’s Page proves that Long Beach 6 The Sporting Life Cleveland rocks 7 Empty Spaces In The Sky 10 Clubs 11 Event Calendar Dairy Air KAPtions 11 AKA News Wisconsin flies 16 You chose the 31 17 AI: Aerial Inquiry ‘til the cows best photos of 18 Member Merchants come home the year 40 Regional Reports 52 People + Places + Things

On the cover: John Pollock’s Jersey Shore edo wins him his second Grand 16 32 AKA Convention Champion prize. Flying in the Six days of fun in home of The Ocean Shores Boss

Coming in the Spring issue... Kite Books > Back To Basics: Simple Tips From Pros Two new books 21 > It’s an iQuad World After All take you to > National Kite Month Japan and India > Darfur Kite Festival

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 1 AKA DIRECTORY

american kitefliers aka committees association Mel Hickman, Executive Director education & public service Mailing: P.O. Box 1614, Walla Walla, WA 99362 Phone/Fax: 800/252-2550 Web/Internet Outreach Chuck Sigal 510/524-3459 Web: www.aka.kite.org National Kite Month Rick Hawkins 713/305-6777 E-mail: [email protected] Kite Records Ted Manekin 716/639-7679 Education Terry Cornell 407/657-4114 officers and festivals / competitions executive committee Fighter Kites Sharon Champie 707/545-6737 Gary Engvall, President Kitemaking Steve Ferrel 610/395-3560 11 Hornbeam Drive, Cranston, RI 02921 Sport Kites Jim Barber 360/289-4915 401/942-3606 [email protected] World Championships David Gomberg 541/996-3083 Kite Art Paul Fieber 608/271-8265 Jon Burkhardt, First Vice President 10113 Lloyd Road, Potomac MD 20854 administration 301/424-6976 [email protected] Ways & Means open Gayle Woodul, Second Vice President Contract Services Gayle Woodul 830/598-2414 106 Main Street, Marble Falls, TX 78654 Safety & Insurance Jerry McGuire 513/831-8379 830/598-2414 [email protected] By-laws Ted Manekin 716/639-7679 Archives & Records Mel Hickman 800/252-2550 Jim Cosca, Director at Large Elections Al Sparling 630/369-9682 13106 Parkridge Circle, Fort Washington, MD 20744 Nominations Kathy Brinnehl 630/271-0765 301/292-4849 [email protected] promotion & membership Deb Lenzen, Director at Large Membership Jim Hodges 703/405-6211 P.O. Box 351, Garrison, ND 58540 Renewal and Retention Mel Hickman 800/252-2550 701/463-2661 [email protected] International Linda Sanders +61/885-562696

Steve Santos, Director at Large 25 W. Wrentham Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 annual meeting 401/658-0649 [email protected] Convention Rob Cembalest 512/554-5933 Hospitality open Fly Market open Mass Ascensions open convention management Workshops open Maggie Vohs, Convention Manager Auction open Cameo Management Solutions, Inc. P.O. Box 410, Otis, OR 97368 Phone: 541/994-4252 Fax: 541/994-3459 Web: www.cameomanagement.com E-mail: [email protected] KITING magazine Phil Broder, Publisher/Editor Mailing: 904 Bayview Road, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 Phone: 609/465-6575 E-mail: [email protected]

Kiting is published quarterly by the American Kitefliers Association and distributed free to members. Please contact the editor for information on submissions, advertising, and deadlines.

Spring issue deadline: January 15 Summer issue deadline: April 15 Autumn issue deadline: July 15 Winter issue deadline: October 15

Send address changes to [email protected]

Founded in 1964 by Robert M. Ingraham, the American Kitefliers Associa- tion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites.

2 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Colombian High by Mike Agner it this way, “ We or- ture had begun! ganized this festival The festival had actually begun in 1993 and have two weeks earlier, in Medellin, where held it every year the organizers assemble kite flyers since. We have two from all over the world. They travel big objectives: to around the country doing workshops show our country to and kite demonstrations. When I the world through joined the group in Bogotá, I was told the kite flyers who the event was to be held in a very attend and to show large park and that the actual flying our people that kite would take place in an amphitheater, flying is a serious surrounded by stadium seating for business but can be 6,000 people. Can you imagine what I done by old people was thinking? who are like chil- The day of the festival dawns (sort dren. In addition, of) with rain and no wind. It gets we believe that better. Not to be dismayed, these kite-flying is im- Colombian flyers took turns running hen my friend, Gary Mark, phoned portant for finding their kites the length of the stadium. Wme about my attending a kite a better life and to keep our environ- The crowd cheered them on. I was festival in Bogotá, Colombia, c’mon - I ment.” asked to bring “big” kites so you can was skeptical to say the least! After While my flight arrived on time, imagine what I was thinking, looking conversations with others who had traffic nightmares similar to those in at the giant manta ray still in the bag. been there and corresponding with the New York City delayed the arrival of But these flyers were determined to festival organizer, Ines Elvira Uribe, I the guy who was to take me to the put on a show. By 3:00, the rain had decided to add a new level of adven- hotel. Clearing customs was easy stopped and there was a bit of wind. I ture to my travels! but standing at the curb in front of spread that ray out on the ground, the Bogotá is a city of seven million a wildly busy airport with two fifty- wind inflated it and holding on to just people and sits at an altitude of 3,000 pound kite bags, and not being able to the bridle, I got lucky and it popped meters. Year-round temperatures vary transfer much of my limited Spanish into the air. The crowd went wild and little with a range of 40-65 degrees into their dialect, made my two hour I was able to make one pass (run? at and there is no change of seasons. The wait interesting. OK, so it was MORE 9,000’ altitude?). It was definitely a people of Colombia have a passion for than interesting. And did I tell you new definition of “high” and an experi- kites and everywhere I went, there that my international phone wouldn’t ence I will never forget. were flyers of all ages. Ms. Uribe puts make international calls? The adven-

The Antigua Adventure Continues his year we grew our numbers to 10 for the by Sue Moskowitz TTropikiters Annual Kite Week on the beautiful island of Antigua. Again, Mr. Calvin Pilgrim, founder of the Tropikiters Kite Club organized four different kite events and three days of island recreation, end- ing with a five-hour catamaran cruise complete with snorkeling and flying on our own private lagoon! I was joined by Jim Cosca, Steve Santos, Pauly Berard, Beth Bowen, Art St. Pierre, and Jan and Doug Coates, all from New England, and Cathy and Mike Esposito from California. As we experienced last year, everyone was treated royally! We were met at the airport by the Minister of Tourism’s Secretary and lo- cal media, then whisked through customs and deliv- ered to our top-notch accommodations to fly for a while and catch sunset at Jolly Harbor beach. Our first event was a fun fly at beautiful Bucca- neer Cove. Sun, sparking white beach sand, crystal clear turquoise ocean and steady breezes were the continued on page 11

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 3 THE PRESIdENT’S PaGE s the song goes, what a long strange trip this has been. put on a Nationals worthy of its name. Let’s start ABefore this year I had never considered being President now identifying and recruiting people who can Judge and of the AKA. This is the last place I ever thought I would be. Field Direct and Pit Boss. The more people, especially non- I am a kite flyer first, and everything else second. I am a competitors, who can commit to being field staff for one or one-dimensional person: I do kites. Thank you to everyone two events, the more it will free up the people who end up who encouraged me to take this on and to everyone who working almost every event in which they are not compet- thought enough of me to make me President of this great ing. Anybody can be a Pit Boss and it is a great way to meet Association. I will do my best to be worthy of your confi- people from all over the country. dence. The folks who ran the Kitemaker’s Competition in I am a grunt, a worker bee. I am much more of a results Ocean Shores need to be commended for thinking outside person than a process person. I am usually the guy who is the box. Moving all the static judging indoors on a rainy on the outside getting the deed done while everyone else day really moved things along. It was great for the judges is inside discussing how it should be done. Working with and for most of the competitors. But, as with any deci- Boards and committees is a stretch for me, it is not my sion, there were downsides. Moving it that far away from strong suit. But I think I can bring a nuts-and-bolts reality to the Sport Kite Competition meant that “crossover” people, the discussions. folks competing in both Comprehensives and Sport Kite, had I attended my first Board meeting ever onTuesday to make some difficult, and expensive, choices. morning at the Convention. That is both good news and bad My goal for next year is: everyone who gets to pay, gets news. In some schools of thought, a person wanting to be to play. Let’s find a way for everyone to play. There are President of an As- many people who sociation should have come to Conven- been involved in its tion and pay reg- proceedings for a long istration fees like time prior to being everyone else, and elected. On the other then spend their hand, someone who whole Convention has been an outsider serving other AKA for their entire tenure members. brings a fresh perspec- This is your tive on how things can AKA. Be as much be managed. The point a part of it as you that should be made have the time and is that the impression interest to be. The gleaned from my first folks who have vol- Board meeting is that unteered for the the Board of the AKA is jobs of decision made up of hard-work- makers for the As- ing, high-minded and sociation are ready well-intended people to do their best striving to do their best to craft and shape for the Association. the Association One of my goals so it best serves for this year is to make the majority of its the process as open and informative as it can possibly be. members. Be part of the process. Communicate with your There are a few things the Board deals with that need to be Regional Director. If for any reason you are uncomfortable “closely held” for many reasons. But many more things can talking with your Regional Director, talk to another Regional and should be available to you, the everyday AKA members, Director. RD’s are people who generously give of their time so that you can give evaluative and critical input to your because they believe in kite flying and want to share it with Regional Directors. Your Regional Director wants to hear everyone. They want to hear from you. Write an article for from you. Be part of the process and keep them apprised of Kiting. Even if it is just a paragraph or two, write some- what you are doing in your corner of the Region. Stay tuned thing and send it in. The next deadline for Kiting is Janu- to the KiteTalk Forum on the AKA website to be up-to-date ary 15, 2008. Check the masthead in the magazine for the on the latest goings on. e-mail addy or the snail mail address to send it to. Just a reminder, many of you have promised me e- See you out there somewhere! mails. I am looking forward to what you have to say. We are fresh from a Convention in Ocean Shores, WA. That good heavens, makes this the perfect time to start planning for our next gary engvall Convention in Gettysburg, PA. In Gettysburg in 2008, let’s

4 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Cover Me During September, a group of kitefliers/photographers hatched a plan in an online forum to come up with great photos that could be used on the cover of KITING. John Chilese took their photos and made mock covers out of them. A few of the often-hilarious results are shown here. Chuck Harris Karen Gustavson Shannon Underwood Matt Brown Dave Downey Dave Sabalino Jim Merrell David Gomberg Randy Greenway The Sporting Life Being Judgemental by Ruth Polifrone o you want to feel needed? Do you want to be appreciated? DDo you have a sense of adventure? Do you want to be a bet- ter competitor? Do you want the best “seat” in the house? Here is a suggestion that will fulfill all of these needs; vol- unteer to help out as a sport kite judge. The Chief Judge at an event will be happy to set you up on a panel as a shadow judge. This will give you the experience of judging without the pres- sure of having your score count. Once you’ve decided to give judging a try, go to the AKA website. In the Publications section you’ll find Rule Books. Here you’ll find the International Sport Kite Competition Rules. It’s filled with essential information for judges and competitors.

Here are a few basic guidelines for judges: • Arrive on time for your assignment. • Take a bathroom break before judging. It usually takes lon- ger to run a discipline than you think it will. • Bring whatever you think you will need onto the field and place your supplies in an out-of-the-way location. This in- cludes water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, windbreaker, etc. • Move with the flyer. It’s important to stand behind the flyer to get the proper perspective for judging. Moving with the flyer also keeps you out of the way of the flyer and field director. • Know your limits. If you are not comfortable judging a disci- pline, ask to make a switch. • Encouraging words are appreciated following the comple- tion of the discipline, especially by novice flyers. Strive to be a positive influence. If you were impressed by a routine, let the flyer know. This is especially important to novice flyers, but Experienced and Masters flyers also like to be complimented on a job well done. • Be honest if a flyer asks what you saw. If you can’t remem- ber the flyer, say so. Give praise where it is due, and be gentle with constructive criticism. • Not everyone is comfortable judging. There are many other volunteer opportunities at kite festivals. Just ask. • Be the judge that you would like to have standing behind you. • Have fun out there!

6 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Empty Spaces In The Sky used kites to put smiles on peoples Monty Weston faces that would soon match her own. Watching Mary Poppins is easy. Be- Unable to contain her passion for kit- ing Mary Poppins is not. Monty Weston ing, she was often seen skipping on left our world to fly up with our kites the sand on “Kite Club Sunday” when on August 22nd. She was not just the club members would unroll and another businesswoman in Seal Beach. fly their favorites. Like most of us, She owned the Up Up & Away Kites she also found great joy in sitting on store, organized a float in the city’s the beach, holding a single kite, and Christmas parade and was of course, watching it float in the sky. Mary Poppins each year. During Na- The story is the same. The names tional Kite Month, she again donned of the kite people who drive the en- the “Kite Lady” getup and went to thusiasm are different. Monty will be schools to share kiting with children. remembered as one who drove it like Along with son Randy, she orga- a freight train. Just without all the noise. - Janis Sabic and Glen Rothstein

Paul Hines Bel Air, MD, Kite Festival. He and his With great sadness I tell you of Paul wife Emily could always be found at Hines passing on October 13th at age the Smithsonian Kite Festival, and at 78. Paul was relatively new to serious the Ocean City Sunfest event, help- kiting. His interest began during the ing out wherever needed. Paul’s last spring and summer of 2003, primarily festival, which he helped to organize, in the area of . was at Harford Community College Paul had heard of the guy who flew on September 15. On that day he was kites nearly every day at our local there, flying his white “ghost delta,” Rockfield Park, and he sought my and his favorite red, white and blue advice on buying kites, materials, and kites from a wheelchair. He will be kite clubs. He soon became a member greatly missed. of AKA, WOW and MKS. That year, he - Al Ault attended his first AKA convention in Dayton, Ohio. After Paul’s Dayton ex- perience he went full throttle, trying Howard Gordon his hand at sport kites, building kites Howard Gordon of Palm Springs, nized the Seal Beach Kite Festival and and helping children make kites at CA, passed away in July. He had been made it successful for 11 years. many local events. He was co-sponsor an AKA member for nearly 20 years. Devoting herself to sharing, Monty and organizer of the very successful

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 7 Niagara: Falling Up by Gary Mark photos by Don Brownridge, Carlos Simoes, and Gary Mark

ome of the world’s premier kitefliers brought their aerial able winds of Terrapin Point, a spectacular location situated Sartistry to Western New York’s Niagara region on Septem- between American and Horseshoe Falls. ber 27 - 30. This fourth edition of the Niagara International Friday afternoon featured a rokkaku workshop taught Kite Festival was once again catered to the kiters thanks by Makado Ohye, working with bamboo and washi to create to the tireless organization of Meg Albers and her crew of authentic Japanese kites. Then, a sumptuous barbecue din- volunteers. Ample social opportunities allowed local fliers ner fed kite fliers just prior to a lively benefit auction held and kite tourists to mingle with the extensive list of inter- for flier Charles (A.J.) Jackson of Texas, who lost his posses- national kite guests and featured fliers each day. sions in a recent fire. The theme for this year’s kite festival was “Connecting On the Saturday and Sunday, festival activities were the Past, Present, and Future with a Kite String” and the held at Reservoir State Park in Lewiston. Kites of all de- program highlighted the myths, the history, and the time- scriptions were amply represented each day on the enor- honored tradition of daredevils lured to majestic Niagara mous flying. Multiple show kites shared the sky with artistic Falls. kites. Sport kites This four-day event began with two days of attempts to dazzled spectators, Iqbal Husain connect the USA and Canada with an arch of kites, and also while various histori- Makado Ohye the challenge cal kites were brought of the Homan out for display. Power Walsh 1848 kite kiters weaved through contest/re-en- the back field while actment. Both fighter kites were days, moist demonstrated. In the weather and event tents, static lack of winds displays of kite his- stymied at- tory, kite aerial pho- tempts to cross tography, miniature the Niagara kites and kite stamps gorge but kiters educated the public, certainly seized while hundreds of kids the opportunity workshop kites were to fly their kites assembled. The kite in the unpredict- store also had brisk

8 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 business as the warm cooperative weather brought out an eager Niagara: Falling Up by Gary Mark audience. photos by Don Brownridge, Saturday night’s banquet was held in the vast, gothic lobby of Buffalo’s Central Train Station, which is being restored from its 30 Carlos Simoes, and Gary Mark year vacancy. This venue was chosen to permit perfor- mances and house the multi-piece jazz ensem- ble that entertained the guests. Highlights of the festival included the sport kite teams Wind- jammers, iQuad and Team Skyburner; the marvelous kite trains of Iqbal Husain; the butterfly kite mass ascensions of Kelvin Woods, and large kite displays of the Berkeley Kite Wranglers, Team No Limits and the Royal City Fun Flyers from Ontario. Because of the remarkable public response and improved support this year, the Niagara Tourism Convention Corpora- tion and Sky’s the Limit have committed to continue to make this festival an annual event as it offers enormous potential for growth in both the kite world and the regional community.

A collection of Art Ross foils.

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 9 Affiliated clubs Alabama Georgia Field Of Strings Suburban Atlanta Kite Enthusiasts 4 Seasons Kite Club Black Swamp Air Force S. Padre Island Kite Enthusiasts Baileyton, AL Jonesboro, GA Walled Lake, MI Perrysburg, OH Harlingen, TX 35019 Harlan Groover 770/471-7923 Lynn Gipson 248/505-6212 Kevin Kilgoar Jeff McCown Sandy Smith 256/796-9069 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.atlantakites.org www.4skc.com www.bsaf.org www.pirates.dwebz.net

California Illinois Minnesota Ohio Society for the Wind Weavers Abilene, TX Candy And Kites Kite Club Illinois Kite Enthusiasts Minnesota Kite Society Elevation of Kites Judy Kingery 915/692-5927 Bodega Bay, CA Champaign, IL Minneapolis, MN Poland, OH [email protected] David Love 707/875-3777 [email protected] Ken Wilkowski 763/536-8552 Tom Kear 330/757-2568 [email protected] www.ikeclub.org [email protected] [email protected] www.mnkites.org/ www.osekcleveland.org Virginia N. American Assn. Chicagoland Sky Liners Richmond Air Force Granada Hills, CA Chicago, IL Missouri Oklahoma Richmond, VA Charles Stonestreet 804/271-4433 Gina Hsiung 818/366-4852 Charlie Sotich 773/735-7353 Kansas City Kite Club Tulsa WindRiders [email protected] [email protected] http://thebigkiteguy.com/skylin- Blue Springs, MO Tulsa, OK www.richmondairforce.com www.fighterkites.org ers/index.html Linda Larkey Larry Stiles 918/630-9334 [email protected] [email protected] Up Up And Away Kite Club Indiana www.kckiteclub.org Washington Los Alamitos, CA Hoosier Kitefliers Society Oregon Whidbey Island Kite Flyers Janis Sabic 562/431-1746 Russiaville, IN Gateway Kite Club Lady Kiteflyers Coupeville, WA [email protected] Clint Eaton Washington, MO Eugene, OR Lisa Root 360/678-7052 [email protected] www. Donna Houchins Miriam Schafler 541/344-2113 [email protected] Bay Area Sport Kite League hoosierkite.org [email protected] [email protected] www.whidbeykiteclub.org Martinez, CA http://groups.yahoo.com/ Tracy Erzin Kansas group/gkc-stl/ Associated Oregon Kitefliers Lavender Winds [email protected] Ocean Park, WA Topeka Kite Fliers Portland, OR www.baskl.org Brian Bradley 360/665-2538 Topeka, KS North Carolina Deb Cooley 541/996-4627 [email protected] Bob Homan Wings Across Carolina Kiting [email protected] San Diego Kite Club http://members.aol.com/ [email protected] And Okra Society San Diego, CA Rogue Valley Windchasers kitebear Bill Pietrusza 619/466-2219 www.crosswinds.net/~tkf/ Charlotte, NC Jim Martin 704/535-4696 Rogue River, OR [email protected] North Coast Sky Painters [email protected] Randy Fabich 541/582-4220 www.sandiegokiteclub.com Kentucky Ocean Shores, WA www.wackos.org [email protected] Kitefliers In Central Kentucky www.windchasers.org Monica Barber 360/289-4889 Northern California Kite Club Winchester, KY [email protected] San Ramon, CA Byron Bell 859/987-3563 North Dakota Pennsylvania Brian Champie 925/829-0683 [email protected] Wings On Strings Kite Club Northwest Sport Kite League Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club [email protected] Jamestown, ND Ocean Shores, WA Baden, PA www.kitefart.com/nckc/ Mike Gee Jim Landers 509/679-3444 Louisiana Con Engels 724/869-4488 index.htm [email protected] [email protected] Red Stick Kiters [email protected] www.wingsonstrings.org www.nwskl.org Zachary, LA www.windstarkites.com/ Colorado Joseph Meaux 225/654-5180 FlyPghKiteClub.htm Foothills Kite Club [email protected] Nebraska Westport Windriders Olympia, WA Denver, CO www.redstickkiters.com Midwest Winds Kitefliers Club Keystone Kiters Marla Miller. 253/752-7051 Kathy Wolfe 303/477-4157 Omaha, NE Camp Hill, PA [email protected] [email protected] Bruce Kenkel Todd Little 717/975-2852 www.foothillskiteclub.com Massachusetts www.westportwindriders.org Kites Over New England [email protected] [email protected] Billerica, MA www.midwestwindskitefliers.org www.keystonekiters.com Connecticut Pierce County Kiteflyers Assn. Susanne Boyle 978/256-8205 Puyallup, WA Connectikiters Lehigh Valley Kite Society [email protected] New Jersey Scott Davis 253/847-8201 Ansonia, CT South Jersey Kite Flyers Lehigh Valley, PA www.kone.org [email protected] Dave Lombard 203/732-5243 Collingswood, NJ Paul Keeler 610/865-0375 www.pcka.org [email protected] Maryland Mike Dallmer 215/722-4092 [email protected] www.connectikiters.org/ [email protected] www.lehighvalleykitesociety.org Wings Over Washington Ben Franklin Kite Society www.geocities.com/sjkf.geo Germantown, MD Richland, WA Harkness Stuntkiters Barbara Birnman 301/972-9289 Texas Larry Zilar 509627-6751 Uncasville, CT Liberty High Spirits Of 14B [email protected] Central Texas Cloud Chasers [email protected] James Stuhler www.wowkiteclub.com Rochelle Park, NJ Marble Falls, TX [email protected] Kurtis Jones 201/489-7186 Gayle Woodul Washington Kitefliers Assn. [email protected] Maryland Kite Society [email protected] Seattle, WA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ Florida Potomac, MD Sylvia Bernauer 425/822-4605 lhso14b Sunset Flyers Jon Burkhardt 301/424-6976 Coastal Bend Sky Pirates www.WKA-Kiteflyers.org Clearwater, FL [email protected] Rockport, TX Steve Pigeon 727/461-6689 www.mdkites.org New York Dano Wright 361/790-0011 Lilac City Wind Chasers [email protected] Great Lakes Kitefliers Society [email protected] Spokane, WA Buffalo, NY www.skypiratesonline.org Bea Murphy 509/327-7974 Treasure Island Sport Kite Klub Michigan Back 2 The Wind Kite Club Russell Kelly 716/649-5364 [email protected] Dade City, FL Dallas Area Kitefliers Organization Portage, MI [email protected] Gary Resnick 352/588-4202 Rowlett, TX David Bush 269/377-9421 www.flyglks.com River City Fliers [email protected] Trung Tran 972/412-1273 www.back2thewind.com Vancouver, WA www.kites.org/tiskk Kites in Central New York Skies [email protected] Scott Ralston 360/624-2266 www.dako.us Mid-Michigan String Stretchers Blossvale, NY [email protected] St. Augustine Sport Kite Club Ada, MI Rich Belcastro Saint Augustine, FL Jewels of the Sky Kiters Ken Blain 616/676-5980 [email protected] Wisconsin Rob Autrey Plano, TX [email protected] Wisconsin Kiters [email protected] New York Kite Enthusiasts Dick Bell Greenfield, WI www.saskc.net 972/423-3630 Tri-State Windriders East Berne, NY Bob Rymaszewski 414/329-9825 [email protected] Coldwater, MI Jeremy Johannesen 518/872-0990 [email protected] Central Florida Cloud Chasers John Arnold [email protected] www.wisconsinkitersclub.com The Villages, FL South Houston Area [email protected] www.nyke.org Barbara Hall 352/259-9768 Recreational Kiters www.tristatewindriders.com Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois [email protected] Pearland, TX Milwaukee, WI Ohio Spence Wikel 281/992-9291 Kazoo Stringfellows PIGS Aloft Jeffrey Kataoka 414/277-9121 [email protected] Kalamazoo, MI Cincinnati, OH [email protected] www.kiteshark.org John Cosby 269/345-5432 Jerry McGuire 513/831-8379 [email protected] [email protected]

10 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Argentina Antigua continued from page 3 Barriletes A Toda Costa Buenos Aires order of the day. We flew single line and sport kites for most of the afternoon, a truly “island Gustavo Sonzogni [email protected] style” event! The next evening was the Indoor Kite Flying Exposition. Demonstrations and www.batoco.org routines were performed while Paulie and company made 50 indoor style kites for the children, which were a big hit. Next on the agenda was one of the two big events. The Freeman Village Canada British Columbia Kitefliers Assn. Festival was co-sponsored by the Girl Guides of Antigua (Antigua’s version of Girl Scouts) and Vancouver, BC was the only competition on the schedule. Prizes were given for kite building and flying. Cathy, Jeremy Perceval 604/594-3155 [email protected] Mike, and Paulie made an additional 100 kites with the children. A great day was had by all. www.bcka.bc.ca The last event was held at scenic Devil’s Bridge, attended by hundreds of locals, most whom Niagara Windriders Kite Club had never seen anything like the giant kites we were flying. They were all truly amazed by the Port Colborne, ON Bob N. White 905/834-9325 Revolution and the dual-line flying exhibitions. Even our driver, Mr. Linden Joseph caught the bug [email protected] and became a Rev flyer. We gave him one our kites to fly so he can join our team next year! www.windriders.niagara.com/ Flying until sunset on the most gorgeous tropical beaches, home cooked Caribbean cuisine, India smiles and amazement of the most gentle island people is what you can expect if you join us on All India Kite Flying Association our next Caribbean adventure! Lucknow Anand Kishore Saxena [email protected]

Indonesia Jakarta Kitefliers Association North Jakarta AKA News James A. Kekenusa Election Results New Postal Rates [email protected] It’s true, the AKA’s election ended up in a Want to make a contribution to the AKA? Just United Kingdom dead tie: both David Gomberg and Rob Cem- move overseas! The oft-maligned US Postal White Horse Kite Flyers balest had four votes! But Gary Engvall had Service got one right with their new interna- Swindon Dave Robinson 54.9% of the 1,166 ballots returned, and is tional rates. Now, all international mail is via air [email protected] now the AKA President. (goodbye, surface mail!), but at the surface mail www.whkf.org.uk In regional elections, Greg Lamoureux prices. That means that overseas members get got 58% of Region One’s votes. Todd Little ran their copies of Kiting faster, for less money. unopposed in Region Two. In Region Three, Will Smoot got 51.8% of the votes. Terry New RDs in 9 and 11 Cornell ran unopposed in Region 4, as did Ben In October both Brian Champie in Region Eleven Dantonio in Region 12. In 2008, Regions Five, and in Region Nine resigned their Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Eleven will choose positions as Regional Director. They have been regional directors. replaced by John Gillespie and Amy Doran, re- spectively.

January 1, 2008 No matter where you live, no matter what you fly, March 7-9, 2008 New Year’s Day Fly Masaaki Modegi’s foil expresses our sentiments... Midwest Area Kitemakers Mission Bay Park Peace On Earth. Retreat (MAKR) San Diego Northern Illinois University Bill Pietrusza Oregon, IL 858/587-8738 Barbara Meyer 763/424-2571 February 2-3, 2008 SPI Kite Fest March 8-9, 2008 South Padre Island,TX Mid-Florida Regional Sport Bill Doan Kite Championships 956/761-1248 Sand Key State Park St. Augustine, FL February 23, 2008 Terry Cornell 763/424-2571 BASKL Indoor 2 Foothill Middle School Walnut Hill, CA Tracy Erzin Check the event 925/228-1983 calendar at www.aka.kite.org March 2, 2008 for updated info and Zilker Park Kite Festival more events! Austin, TX Bunnie Twidwell 512/339-0412

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 11 Calendar K-FILES Kevin Sanders ould your children “Wlike a kite?” was the innocent question from a work colleague back in 1994. Maxine had been given a free promo- tional kite the day before, and thought it would be the source of much fun and fascination for my three youngsters. It didn’t quite work out as anticipated. The children loved the trip to the local playing fields, but were completely unimpressed by the kite. However, I was hooked and a subsequent trip to the local kite shop only increased my fascination. The next two years were spent building and flying sport kites, but a trip to the Austra- lian Sport Kite Championships in 1996 introduced me to the world of handcrafted single line kites. It seemed a logical step to build some for myself and within a short time I had a collection of stable flying, but fairly ordinary looking kites. I spent many hours sketching graphics on scrap paper, before I came up with a style that satisfied me. “Balanced asymmetry” is probably a good de- scription of my design style, and a current key feature is the inclusion of a white blaze with black striping in each individual kite. My early efforts were cautious, but a chance meeting at the Adelaide International Kite Festival in the late 1990s changed everything. Scott Skin- ner was the featured guest, and he walked past me one afternoon as I was flying a Genki I had designed. “That’s a really lovely kite” he said. Initially, I suspected he was being diplomatic, but he later asked if he could buy it from me. That brief en-

12 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 counter gave me the confidence to consoli- date my style, and to consider participat- ing in more festivals as a single line flyer. Thank you from My first overseas festival was the Washington State International Kite Festi- HQ Kites val in 2000. Unfortunately, I was recovering We want to thank all of you for supporting the from a serious illness in the lead up to the kite industry and HQ Kites. event, so my kite bag didn’t contain very We are working very hard to bring out new and many of my new designs. But the people I exciting products in 2008. Check out a few met were apparently impressed with what designs that will be released soon. I had at the time, and were extremely encouraging to me. So buoyed by this encouragement, on my return to Australia I started transforming more of the designs in my sketch book into actual kites. Friend- ships formed at that first event ended up being firm and long lasting, and the sub- sequent opportunities I have had can be directly linked to those friendships.

Xelon I,II,III by Rainer Hoffmann

SaTellITe KITe by Rainer Hoffmann

Kevin taught his Shard kite at the Ft. Worden Kitemakers Retreat earlier this year.

MagIc gIanT STar Since that first solo trip in 2000, my wife and I have traveled to many kite events around the world. Everywhere we’ve been, more and more wonderful kite makers and flyers have become an encour- agement, a source of inspiration, a foun- tain of kite making knowledge, a melting pot of ideas and importantly, much loved members of our ever growing kite family. And fortunately for me, people continue to be impressed by the products of my imagi- nation and my ability to transform these into real flying objects. Examples of my work can now be found 317 Great Bridge Blvd., Suite C as far afield as Finland, New Zealand, Can- Chesapeake, VA 23320 ada, Korea, USA, Malaysia, Germany, Hong www.hq-kites-usa.com Kong, UK, and Japan as well as Australia. www.powerkites.de email: [email protected] toll free: 1-888-318-3600

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 13

AKA AD_Winter_07_08.indd 1 16.10.2007 15:41:04 Voices From The Vault Nancy Lockwood by Patti Gibbons photos courtesy of the World Kite Museum ative to the Buckeye State, Nancy making. Nancy’s first creation was a professional seamstress, Nancy learned NLockwood has spent most of her Chinese three-stick kite sporting an as a young girl “what was excellent, life chasing the American dream American quilt design. Nancy was what was good, and what was ac- around the greater Cleveland metro pleasantly pleased with her patchwork ceptable” sewing. Nancy attended area. After raising six children and creation and began her journey into county fairs with her grandmother who a long career in journalism, Nancy kitemaking. pointed out subtleties that made blue caught the kite bug and welcomed a Calling upon her Pennsylvania ribbon work a cut above the rest. Her little color into her world. Ace kite Dutch heritage, Nancy researched grandmother’s instructions and input maker, team flier, and friend to every- the group’s traditional graphic im- taught Nancy to how sew anything. one she meets, Nancy Lockwood’s kite ages and incorporated symbols of good Motherhood and years of making Hal- odyssey has enriched her life and help fortune and friendship into her early loween costumes, curtains, school to keep her forever young. As many kites. Her inaugural line of windsocks clothes, and quilts, helped Nancy kitefliers can readily confirm, “Peter sported traditional Dutch motifs and master her grandmother’s teachings. Pan is not the only boy not to grow up. caught the eye of a friend who asked This background at the foot pedal of a There is a child inside everyone of us.” to buy the friendship sock. Caught a Singer came in handy as Nancy experi- Nancy’s inner child is certainly familiar little off guard, Nancy admitted, “I mented with kite making. Nancy re- with kite lines and fabric tails. never thought of selling them.” Her calls approaching “windsocks the same In the 1980s, recently divorced and involuntarily downsized out of Nancy gives a lesson on Chinese kites at a Cleveland school. the rapidly shrinking world of journal- ism, Nancy found herself in a blue period. Down and disoriented Nancy could have tossed in the towel, but instead kept her chin up and re- mained open to friendly suggestions. In efforts to ease her woes, her good pal Harry Gregory shared his favorite stress-busting technique and said, “Let’s go fly a kite.” Nancy was game, so Harry grabbed the Hi-Flier that decorated his wall and the two went flying. From time to time Harry let out a little string when he needed to unwind and cast frustrations to the wind. Nancy enjoyed her kite release and time spent flying with Harry. A short time later, the two discovered the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites through a newspaper ad and went to one of the club’s day-long kite friend replied, “‘Well you better start way I did with kid toys and stuffed events in Cleveland. They met people, thinking of selling them. How much animals.” Once she got an idea for and “it’s just been up from there on do you want for one?’” Unaccustomed a kite she’d sketch a general outline out.” Nancy looks back on that time and a foreigner to the handmade kite and start to piece it together from her and realizes “I sort of reorganized economy, Nancy turned to her friend imagination, generally using forgiv- myself and reinvented myself” through — a seasoned veteran of the arts and ing material like Tyvek. In the early kiting. crafts circuit — for pricing advice. days complicated figures, such as her Coinciding with Nancy’s entry onto Nancy aced her lesson in handcraft Uncle Sam windsock, took months of the Cleveland-area kite circuit, her valuation and sold her first windsock tinkering to get the scale and pocket younger brother, a sail maker, visited to her friend, with of course, an am- openings just right. But with each from North Carolina and plunked a ity discount. Soon after her first sale, project Nancy picked up some techni- huge box of ripstop nylon scraps on her Nancy tapped into a steady market at cal tricks that shortened the time she table and said, “‘Here, do something craft fairs, art stores, kite shops, and spent hunched over the drawing board. with this.’” Nancy opened the box, word of mouth custom-design orders. “Challenges…helped me figure out fingered through the colorful swag, Nancy recalls learning kitemaking what to do next.” and let her imagination percolate. techniques through observation and While Nancy certainly excels in The fabric booty was perfect for kite trial and error. Granddaughter to a kite making, she more than dabbles

14 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 in making kite accessories. It’s not For Nancy, kites are never far from uncommon for Nancy to pick up the her mind, and admittedly, her mind Several chatty kitefliers let the tape phone and hear, “‘Are you the lady is filled with “meaningful moments spin and recorded their memories who makes the feathers?’” Gener- with kites.” Nancy’s participation in and thoughts about kites, kitefliers, ally within a short chat, she picks up the kiting community has been a two and the great big sky for the World on the caller’s vision and constructs way street, with Nancy forever giving Kite Museum’s oral history archive colorful feathers and banners that back to other kiters. For Nancy, it’s project. Interested in telling your sport team logos, fliers’ names, or the camaraderie that feeds her. “It is stories? Would you like to hear what whatever messages folks need. When just so special. I think that is what I’ve other fliers say? Got time to inter- the AKA put a call out for feather de- enjoyed the most about getting into view special people in your local signs, Nancy submitted three entries, this entire world…walk up to somebody clubs or friends in far away places? one of which won the contest. Nancy at a festival, say ‘hi’ and you’ve got a Contact the Museum if you’d like to doesn’t guard her sewing techniques hug.” learn more about the oral history as some white-knuckled bakers clutch tapes at info@worldkitemuseum. onto family recipes, rather she en- com. joys spreading the word and sharing her knowledge. Pre-Internet, Nancy reached many when she published a detailed feather-making instructional article in American Kite Magazine. Fliers from countless flying fields tried her advice and Nancy is for- ever thrilled when people send her pictures of their creations or pull her aside at events to show off their handiwork. Nancy’s sewing proficiency, along with her native art sensibilities have given her a leg up in kite making ventures. She recognizes her natural “eye for art” but short history in for- mal art training. Aside from afternoon art classes taken at a local museum as a girl and training in journalistic pho- tography in college, the graphic arts did not dominate Nancy’s word-driven professional life. Kiting’s loop-the-loop reach nurtured her latent creative talents and put her skills to work. Early on, Nancy made her way to nearby kite festivals and events. Being a bit of a social butterfly, Nancy quick- ly made friends through kiting and found herself adding extra pages to her address book. Outside the regional events she attends regularly, Nancy has been known to pick up and go to events far from her home base. When she’s not sending postcards home from kiting events, it’s very likely that she’s lending her time at kite workshops. Besides hosting “make it, take it” workshops at club-sponsored events and being a nurse in the kite hospital, Nancy also brings the world of kit- ing to the public through her touring workshops. Nancy and friends regularly host kite making workshops at schools and local libraries, and when interest exists, they tailor sessions to include lectures on kite history.

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 15 The IKE crew of Jeff Fafje, Ken Krueger, and Mike Kory in action.

iQuad encircles Milwaukee.

Jeff Hale’s banners Mots Festival & Kites Over Lake Michigan

photos by Barbara Meyer and Margaret Murphy Jogging to Kites Over Lake Michigan

Jeff Burka and Dennis Mayhew launch a ray.

Asbury Park, NJ, Kite Festival Pauly Berard

Don Pignolet and Mike VanMeers Beatrix Pelton and photos by Mike VanMeers Kelly Mayhew

16 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 E-mail your answer (25 words or less, please) to [email protected], or Aerial Inquiry post it to the KiteTalk Fo- AI rum, by November 1. We’ll What’s at the feature your answers in the next issue, and ask a new top of your question.

holiday wish Next issue’s question is, “What’s the one event list? you MUST go to in 2008?”

I want the kitemaking skills of Pete or José or Marty, the flying skills of Lam or John or Hunter, the mini skills of Charley, the kite collection of Jim and Laura or Grumpy or Mike or the other Mike, and half the travel of David and Susan. Jim Martin

A Bazzer Rev Flames, and some bloody wind!!!! Spence Watson

I once found a beach on the Oregon Coast that provided soli- tude, gentle breezes, fog filtered sunlight, and blissful seren- ity. I would ask for that serenity in a bottle. Mel Hickman

As usual, I want world peace and a Ray Bethell ground stake. Not necessarily in that order. Phil Broder Submission Guidelines Kiting encourages everyone to contribute. Here are some basic guidelines for articles and photos.

Photos High resolution color digital photos are preferred. Pictures taken on cell phone cameras or on digital cameras set on VGA are generally unacceptable. Photo prints can be mailed to the editor; please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like them returned. Sorry, we can not print photos taken from the websites of other publications (such as news- papers).

Articles There’s a lot happening in the kiteflying world, and unless you tell us about it, it’ll go largely unnoticed. If you have any questions about whether something is worth writing about, please contact the editor. In general, most articles are be- tween 300 and 1000 words, depending on how many photos are available. The preferred format for submissions is Micro- soft Word, but other formats may be acceptable; check with the editor. We can not guarantee that all submissions will be published.

Letters to the Editor Got a short something to say? Letters to the editor are always welcome. Letters may be edited for length.

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 17 MEmBER MERCHaNTS Stores in BOLD sell Kiting! ALASKA IDAHO NEW JERSEY Northwind Kites Wind Wizard Sunrise Kites The Kite Loft Cape May Beach and Kite Shop 320 W. Fifth Ave, #156 771 Myrna Drive 460 Cleveland Street 511 Boardwalk 1218 Route 109 Anchorage, AK 99501 Port Hueneme, CA 93041 Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Ocean City, MD 21842 Cape May, NJ 08204 888/291-4386 805/271-4747 208/524-5551 410/289-7855 609/898-2022 www.alaskites.com www.windwizard.com [email protected] www.kiteloft.com www.capemaykites.com

Cobra Kites ARIZONA COLORADO ILLINOIS MASSACHUSETTS 2608 Rt. 37E Air Time Kites Fun with Wind Two Links Enterprises Common Thread Kites Toms River, NJ 08753 1719A Worden Avenue 360 Merrimack Street 5630 East Roundup Street P. O. Box 2401 732/270-2112 Alton, IL 62002 BLD #9, 2nd Floor Apache Jnct., AZ 85219 Breckenridge, CO 80424 www.cobrakites.com 480/390-7461 303/913-1749 618/465-3448 Lawrence, MA 01843 [email protected] 866/37K-ITES [email protected] www.commonthreadkites.com Lighten Up Kites www.funwithwind.com 238 96th Street Chicago Kite/Kite Harbor Into The Wind Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 ARKANSAS 1408 Pearl Street 5445 N. Harlem Sea Side Kites KaleidoKites 800/679-5747 Boulder, CO 80302 Chicago, IL 60656 293 Nantasket Avenue 1-C Spring Street www.lightenuponline.com 800/541-0314 773/467-1428 Hull, MA 02045 Eureka Springs, AR 72632 www.intothewind.com www.chicagokite.com 781/925-3277 888/836-6251 www.SeaSideKites.com NEW MEXICO [email protected] Sky Scraper Kites Windfall Farm Dust Devil Aerial Toys 3198 N. Speer Blvd. 6370 US Hwy 20 West MICHIGAN 11200 Montgomery NE, #31 CALIFORNIA Denver, CO 80211 Galena, IL 61036-6041 Albuquerque, NM 87111 303/893-2933 Air-Fun Kites Candy & Kites 815/776-9075 167 S. Hancock Street [email protected] 1415 Coast Highway www.velocity-sports.com Pentwater, MI 49449 PO Box 8, CONNECTICUT 888/AIR-FUN1 Katika’s Casa Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Coriolis Kites INDIANA www.air-fun.com 1919 Old Town Road, NW 707/875-3777 59 Route 148 Windsongs Albuquerque, NM 87104 www.candyandkites.com Killingsworth, CT 06419 P. O. Box 669 Kiteman Jack’s 505/242-2111 860/575-5745 Beverly Shores, IN 46301 Newman Street at The Pier www.katikascasa.com Coastal Kites www.coriolis.cc 219/874-5864 East Tawas, MI 48730 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 [email protected] 989/362-4615 NEW YORK 877/544-5483 [email protected] www.coastalkites.com FLORIDA Cabin Fever Grasping The Wind Play With The Wind 345 Little East Neck road Kites & Fun Things 819-1 E. Strawbridge Avenue 17933 Williamsburg Drive Farmer’s Kites 1049 S. Main Street West Babylon, NY 11704 Melbourne, FL 32901 Granger, IN 46530 1108 Front Street Plymouth, MI 48170 631/893-9390 321/676-6926 574/315-6231 Morro Bay, CA 93442 734/454-3760 www.graspingthewind.com [email protected] 805/772-0133 www.skyburner.com Wonder Works [email protected] 711 Harvest Drive Hawaiian Kiteworks IOWA Rochester, NY 14626 205 Hwy A1A, #310 Tropical Treasures Gone With the Wind Kites Midwest Kites 34190 S. Gratiot 585/227-5497 Satellite Beach, FL 32937 530/894-2064 3566 Heatherton Drive Clinton Township, MI 48035 www.goodthingsfly.com 407/363-9050 www.gwtw-kites.com Davenport, IA 52804 586/791-6595 www.hawaiiankiteworks.com 563/823-8337 [email protected] Highline Kites Of Berkeley NORTH CAROLINA www.midwestkites.com Blowing In The Wind 6809 Del Monte Avenue Kites Incorporated 312 Nutt Street Richmond View, CA 94805 611 Ponte Vedra Lakes Bl. #2001 MISSOURI Wilmington, NC 28401 510/235-5483 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 KANSAS Flying High With Charon 910/763-1730 www.HighLineKites.com 904/280-2226 Kansas Kite Connection 5633 Carlton Drive www.kitesinc.com 1806 16th Street St. Louis, MO 63049 Blowing In The Wind Into The Blue Great Bend, KS 67530-4110 636/376-6055 222 Causeway Drive 11101 S.R. 1 Kitesville USA 316/792-6549 [email protected] Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Pt. Reyes Station, CA 94956 17477 Gulf Boulevard 910/509-9989 415/663-1147 Redington Shores, FL 33708 Wind Heaven Wind Wizards www.blowinginthewind.com www.into-theblue.com 800/445-6902 10939 East Harry 673 State Hwy 165 www.kitesville.com Wichita, KS 67207 Building #30, Suite 4 Kite Flite Of San Diego 877/604-WIND South Branson, MO 65616 Flying Smiles Kites Seaport Village Kitty Hawk Kites of Florida www.windheaven.com 417/334-4463 Corolla Town Center San Diego, CA 92101 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy #101 www.windwizards.com Corolla, NC 27927 619/234-KITE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Louisiana www.flyingsmileskites.com www.kiteflitesd.com 850/796-0102 MONTANA [email protected] MeauxJo Kites Home Toys Company Wagntale Kites 3425 Robert Street 312 Culbreth Avenue Old City Kites P. O. Box 365 Zachary, LA 70791 Thomasville, NC 27360 1017 Front Street, Suite B Ye Olde Hobby Shoppe Choteau, MT 59422 225-654-5180 336/420-2032 Sacramento, CA 95814 4 SW Osceola Street 408/466-5483 www.meauxjokites.com www.hometoysco.com 915/446-7575 Stuart, FL 34994 www.wagntalekites.com www.kitesatoldcity.com 772/286-2880 [email protected] MAINE Kites Unlimited - Atlantic Beach NEBRASKA Atlantic Station Shopping Center Second Wind Cricket’s Corner Breeze Chasers Online Kites PO Box 2278 1805 Hwy 1 41 Shore Road GEORGIA 402/477-0794 Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 Bodega Bay, CA, 94923 Ogunquit, ME 03907 Coastal Wind Sports www.breezechasers.com 252/247-7011 707/875-WIND 207/646-2261 247 Wellington Place www.kitesunlimitednc.com [email protected] Brunswick, GA 31523 [email protected] Picture Pretty Kites 912/265-1149 6512 N. 44th Street Kitty Hawk Kites Sport Kites International Maine Discovery Museum Omaha, NE 68112 www.coastalwindsports.com PO Box 1839 20505 Yorba Linda Blvd. #800 74 Main Street 877/453-4970 Nags Head, NC 27959 Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Bangor, ME 04401 www.pictureprettykites.com 800/334-4777 714/970-2833 GUAM 207/262-7200 NEVADA www.kittyhawk.com [email protected] Chill Out www.maindiscoverymuseum.org A Wind Of Change Unit 36 Chamorro Village 3870 West Russell Road Up, Up, & Away Kites Agana, GU 96932 MARYLAND Las Vegas, NV 89118 OHIO 1 671/472-4867 139 /2 Main Street Kali’s Kites 702/736-1476 Amoka Windsurfing Kites www.chillout-guam.com Seal Beach, CA 90740 2036 Elderwood Court www.awindofchange.com 4703 Lose Road Monclova, OH 43542 562/596-7661 HAWAII Eldersburg, MD 21784 www.upupandawaykites.com 443/562-0529 Windpower Sports 419/878-6009 Isle Oasis [email protected] 3111 S. Valley View #A-1116 www.amoka.com 856 Kilauea Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89102 Hilo, HI 96720 702/220-4340 809/934-8868 www.windpowersports.com www.isleoasis.com

18 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Stores in BOLD sell Kiting! Flaggs U.S.A. SETI Kites WindSong Entertainments Great Winds Kite Company Phil’s Kite Shop 2088 Raeburn Avenue 21 Shirley Road 114 N. Austin Street 312 N. 83rd Street Shop 1/366 Military Road Cincinnati, OH 45014 Narberth, PA 19072 Rockport Heritage District Seattle, WA 98103 Semaphore Park, SA 5019 513/939-3524 610/745-9484 Rockport, TX 78382 www.greatwinds.com +61 8 8359 3266 [email protected] www.setikites.com 361/780-0011 www.kitefactory.com.au www.windsongkite.com Hi-Flyers Just Add Wind Kites Windstar Kites 55 Main Street CANADA 10019 Washington Church Rd. 203 Ridgeway Drive Pacific Beach, WA 98571 Boreal Kites/Gothic Design Miamisburg, OH 45342 Baden, PA 15005-2423 VIRGINIA 360/276-8377 45960 Sparta Line Hang-em High Fabrics 937/572-3252 724/869-4488 [email protected] N5P 3S8 1420 Yale Avenue Saint Thomas, ON [email protected] www.windstarkites.com 519/775-2527 Richmond, VA 23224 Ocean Shores Kites [email protected] What’s Up 804/233-6155 172 W. Chance A La Mer Rhode Island www.citystar.com/ 4500 Chagrin River Road Ocean Shores, WA 98569 Boutique au Gre du Vent Kitt Kites hang-em-high Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 360/289-4103 Place du Marche, LaCote 28 Brown Street 440/247-4222 [email protected] L’Etang-du-Nord Narragansett, RI 02882 HQ Kites and Designs USA (formerly [email protected] Iles de la Madelaine, QC G4T 2W1 401/726-1626 Nova Designs) Pizazz Kiteworks 418/986-5069 www.kittkites.com 317 Great Bridge Blvd, Suite C OKLAHOMA P. O. Box 266 www.greduvent.com Chesapeake, VA 23320 Coupeville, WA 98239 Kinetic Kites 757/819-7951 360/678-6266 6313 Willow Ridge SOUTH CAROLINA Boutiques Coriolis www.hq-kites-usa.com www.pizazzkites.com Bethany, OK 73008 Kites Fly’n Hi 2021 Marie-Victorin The Rainbow Market Varennes, QC J3X 1R3 405/722-KITE Jackite, Inc. 40 N. Market Street The Kite Shoppe 514/827-3163 www.kinetickites.com 2868 W. Landing Rd. Charleston, SC 29401 2823 East Evergreen Blvd. www.coriolis.cc Virginia Beach, VA 23456 843/577-3529 Vancouver, WA 98661 877522-5483 OREGON 866/ROK-KAKU Canadian Wind Rider www.jackite.com Columbia River Kites TENNESSEE www.thekiteshoppe.com 26 Elfindale Crescent 270 NE 2nd North York, ON M2J 1B5 East Tennessee Kites Life’s A Breeze Kites Irrigon, OR 97844 416/497-9463 206 Woodman Street 2125 Staples Mill Road WISCONSIN 541/922-5739 www.canadianwindrider.com Athens, TN 37303 Richmond, VA 23230 Aerial Stunt Kites 121 Wrigley Drive Elmer’s Flag & Banner, Kites Too! 423745-2688 804/358-7665 Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Great Canadian Kite Company 1332 NE Broadway www.etkites.com [email protected] 262/249-0631 4517 Harvest Green Portland, OR 97232 Taber, AB T1G 1A1 Sky Jewels www.askites.com 800/547-8795 TEXAS 877/382-3956 2906 Hideaway Road www.kitestoo.com About Kites www.canadiankitecompany.com Fairfax, VA 22031 Fish Creek Kite Company 11615 Sagevale Lane 3903 Highway 42 Gomberg Kite Productions Int’l. 703/280-5007 Houston, TX 77089 Fish Creek, WI 54212 Le Gite Du Cerf Volant P.O. Box 113 713/305-6777 920/868-3769 935 Rte De La Seigneurie Neotsu, OR 97364 [email protected] WASHINGTON www.fishcreekkites.com Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies 541/996-3083 7 Feathers Kites PQ G0R 4E0 www.gombergkites.com B & S Kites 2504 E. 25th Street Gift of Wings 418/354-2182 Vancouver, WA 98661 9955 W. St. Martins Road www.legiteducerfvolant.ca Inland Kites 2812 Padre Blvd., Ste. B 360/213-7245 Franklin, WI 53132 499 Willamette Street South Padre Island, TX 78597 www.7featherskites.com 414/425-8002 The Kite Guys Grants Pass, OR 97526 956/761-1248 www.bskites.com www.giftofwings.com 2420 Morris Crescent 541/476-8299 Above It All Kites Airdrie, AB T4A 2B8 [email protected] Buck-N-Blue Outdoors 312 Pacific Avenue South Gift of Wings - Veterans Park www.kiteguys.ca Long Beach, WA 98631 1500 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive .com PO Box 2121 360/642-3541 Milwaukee, WI 53202 1236 N. Killingsworth Street, #3 Alvin, TX 77512-2121 JAPAN www.aboveitallkites.com 414/273-5483 Portland, OR 97217 713/393-1100 AGAIN 503/890-0280 www.jbrau.com/bnb-01.html Joyfull Tsurumai 1F AKA Store GuildWorks Studio www.kitelife.com P. O. Box 1614 3-14-16 Chiyoda Naka Ku Family Fun Kites 2322 Atwood Avenue Nagoya, Achi 460-0012 Walla Walla, WA 99362 Madison, WI 53704 Phantom Star Design 1419 N. Plaza Drive 52-339-3830 800/AKA-2550 608/49-2725 2818 SE 23rd Drive #C-3 Granbury, TX 76049 www.agagas.co.jp/again [email protected] www.guildworks.com Lincoln City, OR 97367 817/573-5483 541/994-7556 www.familyfunkites.com Bella Dolce Coffee Unique Flying Objects NETHERLANDS www.phantomstardesign.com Fly It Port A 9216 Bayshore Drive NW, Ste.100 2022 Washington Street Vliegersenco 405 Cut Off Road Silverdale, WA 98383 Two Rivers, WI 54241 veenweg 34-36 PENNSYLVANIA Port Aransas, TX 78373 360/692-2150 866/UFO-4FUN Deventer OV 7416BC Air Affairs 512/749-4190 [email protected] www.uniqueflyingobjects.com (570) 607946 107 Chelsea Road www.vliegersenco.nl Hatboro, PA 19040 New Tech Kites Cutting Edge Kites 676 Ocean Shores Bl. NW AUSTRALIA 215/672-1470 7208 McNeil Drive, #207 SCOTLAND Austin, TX 78729 Ocean Shores, WA 98569 Kitepower Australia Gentles Limited B and C Creations 512/250-0485 360/289-0667 126 Beach Street 11 Corbiehill Avenue 215 Kerrick Road www.newtechkites.com www.cuttingedgekites.com Coogee, Sydney NSW 2034 Edinburgh, EH4 5DT Shillington, PA 19607 293 157894 +44 131-3365472 610/796-1830 Pat ‘n Eddie’z Fincher’s Aire Force www.kitepower.com.au [email protected] www.bandccreations.com 8804 Colonial Drive 2901-3 Perry Avenue Austin, TX 78758 Bremerton, WA 98310 Kitepower Australia Burlesque Kites 512/837-4371 360/692-0149 302 Grand Parade 1670 Limeport Pike www.patneddiez.com [email protected] Sans Souci Coopersberg, PA 18036 Sydney, NSW 2219 610/965-0867 Rainbows 4 Sail Flying Dragon Kites +61 02-95296894 www.kitesonconsignment.com 980 Gibb Rd. 7487 Leeside Drive Waxahachie, Texas 75167 Blaine, WA 98320 Kitepower Australia KitesRUs 972/923-0119 360/933-4820 386 La Trobe Tce 1482 River Road www.rainbows4sailkites.com www.flyingdragonkites.com Geelong VIC 3220 New Hope, PA 18938 +61 03-52295899 215/862-6272 Windchasers Kites Four Winds Kite Shop www.kitesrus.com 1514 Padre Blvd. 1911 Broadway Kite Lady South Padre Island, TX 78597 Everett, WA 98201 P. O. Box 758, Kite Studio 956/761-7028 425/339-9334 Willunga, SA 5172 5555 Hamilton Blvd. www.kiteshop.com www.fourwindskites.com 885-562681 Wescosville, PA 18106 www.kitelady.com.au 610/395-3560 Gasworks Park Kite Shop www.kitebuilder.com 3420 Stone Way North Seattle, WA 98103 206/633-4780 www.goodwindkites.com

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 19 Fightin’ Words by Sharon Champie

Getting Started You’ve been noticing the fighter kite flyers for awhile. They always look like they are having a ball flying their weird little kites in amazing ways and having strange looking competitions off to the side at festivals. You’re interested in trying it out for yourself. You might even have a fighter kite someone gave you but you have no idea how they make the kites go where they want or how you can get started flying them yourself. Well, if you’ve ever successfully flown a single line kite of any kind, you already know how to fly a fighter! Put a tail on a fighter to steady it and slow down its responses and you’ll see what I mean. The same basic pulling and releasing of tension that you use to keep any kite from tipping and diving are exactly the same in the steering of fighter kites. The only difference is you use the pulling and releasing of tension to cause tipping and diving. When you want to change the direction of flight, you release the tension by letting a little line out through your fingers, the kite tips, pointing in a new direction. Quickly pull on the line, applying tension again, and voila!, the kite is flying where you want it to go. If it is diving straight toward the ground, release tension, the kite stops diving, loses stability and instantly starts turning. When it is pointing anywhere but towards earth, you quickly pull the line and the kite will shoot off in the new direction. If you keep steadily pulling in line hand over hand the kite will continue in the new direction. With practice you’ll soon be able to track back and forth at will across the wind window using this technique. Because you will be continuously drawing in and letting out line to control the direction of the kite, you need to be sure your line feeds off the reel smoothly and does not become tangled. You can use a traditional Indian style reel by sticking it handle first in the ground at an angle near and a little behind you, but I like the Yoyo or Gator type winder. These have one flat side and one flared side that feeds the line to your hand. Lay this reel flat side down right between your feet, do not move your feet while flying and you’ll have better luck with keeping tangles out of your line. Tangles make it very hard to smoothly let line out and pull line in, so do everything you can to keep the line flowing freely.

Is It Me Or Is It The Kite? You’ve tried all the techniques above and had a terrible time getting the hang of it. If your fighter just won’t fly straight or won’t even fly at all, it might not be your flying abilities that are the problem. One way to find out for sure is to ask another fighter flyer if you can try one of their slower kites. If you can get some control over this other kite, then it might be that your own kite needs a bit of adjust- ment. Tuning a fighter is not difficult if you just remember that on these small kites, tiny adjust- ments make a big difference. If the problem is the kite just spins and won’t track even though there is plenty but not too much wind, first make sure there is a slight bow in the spine near the nose. With a bamboo spine you do this by gen- tly pressing it over your knee or the top of your head. With a carbon spine there will be some sort of tensioner device. In either case just a little bit of bend will make a lot if difference. If that doesn’t improve the tracking, try moving the tow point on the bridle down by tiny increments to- ward the tail. Test fly after each ⅛” move. If the kite is too stable and won’t tip at all, move the tow point up toward the nose a tiny bit at a time. When you find the sweet spot for the tow point, you probably won’t have to adjust it again as long as you stick to using the kite in about the same amount of wind each time you fly. The hardest way to learn is to try to do it all by yourself, but with these few tips you Steve Bateman and can get a feel for how it’s done, and get enough Darrin Skinner both confidence in yourself that it will be easier to use the “winder at approach another fighter flyer for help. Go make your feet” method. friends with a fighter; you’ll be glad you did!

20 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Kite Books The Making of Japanese Kites: Tradition, Beauty and Creation by Maasaki Modegi Masaaki Modegi is a living treasure trove of kite knowledge. Chairman of the Japan Kite Association and director of the Tokyo Kite Museum, he became a kite col- lector and researcher under the influence of his father. In this new book, Modegi-san unravels the mystery and tradition of Japa- Kite’s Eye View: India: nese kites and gives instruction on the Between Earth and Sky by Nicholas Chorier You know this is a special book just by holding it; at 5½ tools, materials, and pounds, it’s a considerable volume. And French kite aerial techniques involved in photographer Nicholas Chorier has filled it with amazing Japanese kitemaking. images from a country rich not only in kiteflying, but in his- Beginning with a brief tory, architecture, and people. Traveling throughout all of history and overview India — not just the oft-seen places like the Taj Mahal — he of Japanese kites, Modegi examines the characteristics and brings back overhead images of a place teetering between significance of its mogul and British past and its technological future. particular styles, Aerial explains how to photography fly, and where is prohibited to see Japanese in India, so kites. Included this book is are detailed one of the instructions on first to show building each the country type of kite for from the air. beginner, inter- It showcases mediate, and Modegi dia- Practicing the spectacular advanced kite grams an edo. martial art views of Meh- makers. kalaripayattu rangarh Fort, on the beach. Pushkar, Chit- torgarh, and the beaches of Kerala. Accompanying the text is Chorier’s anecdotal take on his Indian odyssey. If you’re a lover of kite aerial photography, India, architecture, or just beauti- Whether you have an in- ful scen- terest in splitting bamboo ery, this and painting images of is a book samurai on washi paper, you’ll or just want a better un- want on derstanding of the origins your cof- of many modern kites and fee table. kiting traditions, this rea- sonably-priced paperback is a good place to start.

Jama Marjid mosque

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 21 KITE PLaN Jim Martin’s Playing Card Mini iniature della portas are a bit more complex than some minis, but of- Mfer you a very adjustable kite for a wider wind range, including being very good for flying outdoors in “real wind.” This one is based on a Bicycle brand playing card as a template most people can lay their hands on.

Materials/tools: • Tissue paper • Wok Brush (or other easy-splitting bamboo) • Sewing thread • Needle • Glue • Scissors • Hobby knife • OPTIONAL: Pens, markers, inkjet copier/scanner, tape

First, the graphics: OPTIONAL STEP: Lay a card out on an inkjet copier/printer. Make Fig. 1 a copy of the card onto 8½”x11” paper. DO NOT MOVE THE CARD; LEAVE IT ON THE COPIER/PRINTER UNTOUCHED. Next, cut out a piece of tissue paper an inch or two bigger than the card on all sides. Using cellophane tape, tape the tissue onto the copy of your card, taping down all edges and corners — do not overlap the card image (figure 1). Now, put the copy-and-sail back into the hopper and copy the card again – this will print it onto the tissue. You can use this technique to get any image onto your tissue paper sail when you make more kites. You can also print images straight from a computer. WARNING: Do NOT use this technique with laser printers/copiers; they use heat to set the toner. Heat will do to bad things to the sticky tape inside your machine. I’ve never had any problems with this technique on ink-jets, but “The author makes no warranties, express or implied, that this technique will not damage your printer/copier. If you try it, jets of molten plastic and fire will spray all over everything and then your printer will explode, and I warned you so don’t even think about suing me.” It’s always worked for me, though… Alternately, take one of your playing cards and trace around it onto the tissue, then use pencils/pens to trace or draw the card onto the sail. Or use colorful paper and leave it blank! Cut out your sail carefully and set aside. There is no hem allowance! Now, for some sticks. Get a bamboo wok brush, available in Asian markets, etc. If you don’t have one of those nearby, get a friend in the Big City to buy you one (they run under $5 locally.) If all else fails, send a SASE to Jim Martin, 713 Sebrena Pl., Charlotte, NC, 28211, and I’ll send you a couple of sticks from one of mine to get you started. For some rea- son this bamboo is wonderfully easy to split into very thin sticks. Take one “stick” from the brush and start splitting it lengthwise with the hobby knife. Split it in half, then in half again, etc. (Splitting near the edge generally doesn’t work as well.) This may take a couple of tries until you get the hang of it, then it’s easy. You want thin little sticks of bamboo about as big as a mechanical pencil’s lead, or a bit under 2 mm

22 Kiting | Winter ‘07 - ‘08 1 Fig. 2 / /16” — this is not an exact For the rear Fig. 5 measurement, if it looks about leg, take a piece right for a stick in this sized of thread about kite, it probably is. It needs to 10” long, and tie be an inch or more longer than a small loop in the diagonal distance across one end. Larks- your sail. head the loop Next cut out some tail onto the forward strips, from tissue paper, portion of the about ¼” wide and 10” or so bridle. Thread long. A paper cutter is nice the other end for this, otherwise use scis- of the line onto sors. your needle and Now let’s put it all together. Take your sticks and run attach it to the them through your finger carefully using a bit of pressure point where the sticks cross at the center of the kite. Tie to put just a bit of curve in the stick. Not essential, but it the thread off, leaving about 5¾” of thread between the makes the kite easier to tune and fly. center of the kite and the larkshead onto the forward bridle Using glue (I like Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue, avail- (fig.5). able in the sewing/craft section of many stores selling such Fig. 6 Finally, tie stuff: regular white glue is a bit “wet” but works too.) Put a small loop a little glue on a piece of scrap paper, and run one of the of thread and sticks through the glue to pick up a thin bead along the larkshead it convex (outside) of the curve, then smear the glue thin and onto the rear evenly on the stick with your finger. Quickly press the stick bridle — this onto the back of the sail diagonally from corner to corner, is your tow let the glue set for a few seconds then trim off the bits of point, and for your stick that jut out past the sail. Repeat with the second now cinch it stick, from the other two corners and crossing the first stick down about near the middle (fig. 2). 1¾” from Optionally, take bits of scrap tissue and glue them over the forward the sticks at bridle (fig. 6). the corners Fig. 3 Note that the bridle is adjustable by sliding the larksheads and in the around, just like a big kite! middle where Finally, attach the tails. With needle and thread, at- they cross, tach a length of thread to the trailing edge corners, us- to reinforce ing the same technique as we used to attach the forward the kite a bridle. Next, just like bit. Trim any the tow point loop, at- excess (fig. tach a loop of thread to 3). the tail line. Now take Now for your tail material pre- the bridle. pared earlier and glue a This will be an adjustable three-legged bridle; we’ll do the couple of strands onto forward legs first. the little tail loop (fig. Thread your needle and poke through the sail from the 7). Crumple the tail up front, next to one stick at the leading edge of your kite. a bit for extra drag or From the back, poke back through the sail on the other you can easily tear off side of the same stick then tie a knot on the front of the a bit of the tail if you kite — you’ve got the thread tied around a stick near one seem to have too much corner. weight and drag back Now do the same there. at the other leading When you fly the Fig. 7 edge corner, leaving a kite the first time, you length of thread run- will probably need to ning from one corner adjust the larkshead on the forward bridle to correct for of the leading edge left or right spins, and the tow point to get the lift right. to the other. Leave The tail should be centered, but can be adjusted to keep enough thread be- the kite flying straight if needed. tween the corners to These kites do well outdoors in gentle-to-moderate reach to the middle of breezes, or can be flown from a “flying stick” in the tradi- Fig. 4 the kite (fig. 4). tional mini-kite fashion.

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 23 HISTORY LESSON Bell’s Baddeck Bash

t’s a long way to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck, Nova IScotia — almost as far east as you can go on the North American continent. But if you can get most of the way there, like many participants of this year’s Dieppe (Canada) International Kite Festival, then the four-hour drive to Baddeck is well worth it. Through the efforts of organizer Gary Mark of the Canadian Kite Fed- eration and the Bell Museum’s staff, those interested attended a two day gathering honoring the centennial of the flight of Bell’s historic Cygnet kite. Situated in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Baddeck still offers the same breathtaking scenery and open space that appealed to Bell when he chose to establish a year-round residence there in 1885. Interested in manned-flight, Bell chose the tetrahedral-shaped cell as a model for its stability and safety. In 1907, Bell formed the Aerial Experimental Association and employed Baddeck townspeople to help in the construction of the silk and spruce cells needed to create his large kites. The first manned flight of the 3,339-celled Cygnet, designed for the purpose of lifting man in controlled flight ended unsuccessfully, as the kite was destroyed after a rough water landing in December 1907. However, this kite, still the largest cellular kite ever constructed, was a zenith in Bell’s kite experiments and eventually led to the Aerial Experimental Association’s flight of the Silver Dart airplane in Baddeck only two years later. Kite fliers gathered at the museum theater for welcoming remarks by great-grandson Hugh Bell Muller, a formal presentation by museum inter- preter Rosalind Ingraham, and some kite-specific remarks by Drachen Foun- dation founder Scott Skinner. Time was spent touring the extensive museum and a wonderful dinner reception followed. The following day, kite fliers got the rare opportunity to fly kites on the same fields where Bell experimented and flew his tetrahedral kites a century ago, and walk the hallowed grounds of the family estate that Bell named “Beinn Bhreagh”, Gaelic for ‘beautiful mountain’. Toronto artist Amos Latteier flew a 190-celled tetrahedral kite that he built in the shape of a telephone. From the warm reception from Bell’s descendants, it is hoped that this event becomes a biannual undertaking for attendees of the Dieppe Inter- national Kite Festival, since kite fliers recognize that the long trip to the Canadian Maritimes is a small price to pay for a special visit to one of the world’s kite shrines. Gary Mark

Kitefliers in front of Alexander Graham Bell’s Beinn Bhreagh Hall.

24 Kiting | Winter ‘07 - ‘08 Bell’s Baddeck Bash

Glued To 253-820-8569 The [email protected] Blue Celebrate with Drachen from afar! Order the Bell Tetra- hedral Kite Kit and enter a photo of your creation in the

Bell Tetra Challenge! Win a $250 gift certificate good for Gary Mark merchandise at Goodwinds Kites website or store! Visit www.drachen.org for details.

Cliff Quinn’s Double Star, one of the smaller cellular Gary Mark kites to fly over Baddeck.

Amos Latteier’s cell phone.

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 25 Robert Brasington’s Mardi Gras cathedral window In The Sky deltas. by Phil Broder

love bumping into people in airports. It’s a pleasant I surprise, and it gives you something to do for a little while. Bumping into my friends Mearl and Adrianne Balmer in the Newark Airport, on the way to Dieppe, New Brunswick, was one of those happy accidents. Bumping into all of Carencro, Louisiana, in the same place turned out to be even happier. By way of explanation, Dieppe (known as “L’etoile d’Acadie” — the star of Acadia) and Carencro (west of Baton Rouge, in the heart of Cajun country) are sister cit- ies. The Dieppe organizers had invited a delegation from Carencro to visit the area. We learned this as we sat on the tarmac, strapped into a puddlejumper jet for a two of 100 meters, headed northeast across the Canadian Mari- hour flight. Eavesdropping on the people behind me, I real- times. The demos put on by the Windjammers flying stacks ized that the mayor of Carencro and his city council were to and Jean Lamoureaux and Jean LaMire flying multiple sport my rear. “We’re going to Dieppe for a kite festival,” Mayor kites dazzled everyone. There were, of course, spectacu- Glenn Brasseaux told me. “What a funny coincidence,” said lar kites all around, but Brasington’s kinetic spinners and Mearl, Adrianne, and I simultaneously. And so the party Uguen’s bird garden were equally eye-catching. began, with a planeload of 22 Carencro-ites. And there was night fly which will be talked about for Throughout the week, we’d bump into the Cajuns here years. After a perfect sunset, the wind stayed tasty. Kites and there. The kiters — a rose and skylights swept back and forth. But you had to A Michael Goddard star. who’s who of international be standing in just the right spot, with either a flashlight kiteflying, including José or a camera flash, to see Tinkerbell. Olivier Reymond used Sainz, Scott Skinner, David reflective tape on a red delta to create the fairy, and the Gomberg, John Pollock, Meg effect was only visible with direct light from underneath. Albers, Paul LaMasters, Don Organizers estimate 20,000 people attended the night fly. Mock, and Al Sparling (USA), Every good festival ends with a banquet, and it was Robert Trepanier and Sha- there that we met our friends from Carencro again. It ron Musto (Canada), Gerard seems that among their number were the two top chefs Clement and Térèse Uguen from Prejean’s Restaurant in Lafayette, Louisiana, and they (France), the Karl and Sarah wanted to cook up a little something using whatever they Longbottom (England), Colin could find locally. So the week ended with nearly 200 of us Mortimer (South Africa), stuffing ourselves full of shrimp bisque, crab and lobster Robert Brasington (Tasmania), Bill Farber (Australia), Bas cakes, cornflake-breaded haddock in a Jack Daniels crème Vreeswijk (Netherlands), Olivier Reymond (Switzerland), sauce, smothered corn, potatoes Lyonnaise, Acadiana bread Edoardo Borghetti (Italy), Michael Goddard (Wales), Anke pudding, and bananas Foster. Sauer (Germany), Team Mangalore (India), and many more That meal alone was worth the India’s Team Mangalore — would gather for a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, then trip. Mayor Brasseaux ended the salutes world peace. head over to a lovely riverside soccer park just before festivities by making the mem- lunch. We’d fly kites all afternoon, have a late dinner, and bers of the festival committee then adjourn to the bar. And more often than not, that’s honorary citizens of Carencro, where we’d find the entire population of Carencro. and reminding them that their They’d go off on a media tour of Fundy National Park taxes were due in three months. or other New Brunswick hotspots, we’d assemble 1000 kids Which brings us back to kites. Their zydeco band played at the Seafood Festival, we where we started, on an air- flew in a rok battle on live TV. They went shopping, we did plane, just me (and José Sainz sport kite demos. The Mayor wanted to learn to fly a stunt this time) and 22 politicians, kite, and Joe Meaux of Louisiana’s Red Stick Kiters taught musicians, chefs, and upstand- him. Everyone cringed as the kite lawn-darted repeatedly. ing citizens from a little town in In between there were memorable moments. Setting Louisiana, swapping kite pins and up a rok battle so that everyone launched on a cue from making plans to recreate what the CBC-TV truck was difficult, but we pulled it off. And the they saw in Canada in Cajun crowd loved it when the Pepsi sponsor kite was cut loose, country sometime soon. drifted away, and kept on drifting… last seen at an altitude

26 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 In the “Mardi Gras In The Sky” kitemakers competition, Bas Vreeswijk of the Netherlands took first (left), José Sainz (center) second, and Australia’s Bill Farber (right) third. Vreeswijk won a trip to next year’s festival in Dieppe, France. Paul LaMasters’ kitemaking entry.

A Robert Brasington train Sharon Musto’s kitemaking entry.

Térèse Uguen’s bird garden.

Edoardo Borghatti’s sailing ship.

A Robert Trepanier beauty. Marc Duguay’s Lindbergh edo. The Windjammers were a crowd favorite. Eat your hearts out, Rev flyers. This quad-line matador is Robert Trepanier’s. Kiteman Blows Up by Bruce Flora A 17’ delta with remote-fired pyrotechnics at Hard Rock Park.

s always I am thankful for the amazing opportunities we have had with Amy small company, Kiteman Productions, over the years to promote and expose kiting around the world. For those of you who have never heard of us we specialize in producing and performing kite shows flying our own cus- tom dual line kites behind vehicles, mostly watercraft. We use a variety of launching systems A 5-stack springs depending on the from its launcher. type of kite we are flying. All of our launch systems are designed to allow us to launch our kites on cue, in any wind direction (or without wind). Our “line pay out” system allows the kite pilot (who is strapped down facing reverse on a vehicle) to steer our kites through our harness/pulley/quick release system while the vehicle takes the load. Our kites are much too large and powerful for the pi- lot to hold on without the harness system. So, for every new kite we design for a new show, we have to also design a launch system. Our systems, after over 17 years of shows with these systems (we did shows for over five years without the help of these systems) are 99.9% reliable which says a lot for those of you who understand what it takes to consistently launch your kites. So, lets look at some of our recent projects. Many years ago we greeted the Disney Magic cruise ship with ten boats flying five stack diamond kites as it arrived in harbor Bon voyage, Disney Magic! from Italy where it was construct- ed. So it was no surprise that when Disney Cruise Line wanted to test out a Los Ange- les/Mexico Riviera cruise,they asked us to escort the ship out of LA har- bor on its maiden cruise. We flew 23 of our pilots and

28 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Elmo and friends rock out as Squidy flies by. drivers to Los Angeles and flew our kites for over an hour in rough seas. We have just finished our fourth season of seasonal shows for Sea World of Florida. Our most recent show “Elmo and the Boo- kaneers,” featured a custom creation of Kiteman ours developed for Sesame Street Workshop called “Squidy”. Squidy is a giant dual line (all our kites must be dual line in order to control around corners) squid kite. This Blows Up by Bruce Flora is a hybrid framed inflatable kite that has a 10’ wingspan and is 62’ long. It was launched on cue directly behind the shore-based stage from a launcher designed specifically for this kite. These kind of shows are performed two to three times a day for 186 days straight. We also had two 17’ wingspan delta “fish” kites in this show. Over the past seven years our kites have been flown every day atTokyo Disney Sea and at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. All kite pilots and driv- ers have graduated from our eight week training program and are employ- ees of the two theme parks. The sail designs and styles of the kites have changed over the years but the kites keep on flying. Imagine how great these fliers are after doing this in full time for all these years. Last year we developed another hybrid framed inflatable dual line kite for a summer Aladdin show at Tokyo Disney Sea. This kite was the character Jafar. The design is based on a delta kite, has a 14’ wingspan, and is 80’ long. Two kites were made and delivered along with a short training pro- gram. Jonathan Palmer provided additional training on this challenging flying prop. This kite flew out of a cave on a floating barge after the lines ripped down a fabric curtain that was concealing the kite. It was a great surprise launch and the star of the show. One of our most popular products are our night shows. We have been performing since 1993 with onboard lighting and fireworks. We have devel- oped many new technologies over the years that allow us to provide brighter and longer-lasting effects. These shows are performed both for theme parks shows and for corporate events. Our most significant advances have been in developing lighter-weight onboard computer/receivers that allow us to use more fireworks and effects on the kite. Our new 17’ wingspan delta kites, developed by Bob Bono, can now carry five minutes of continuous firework effects! These kites are amazing and our pilots (after the initial fear is over- come) love the feeling of power that come from flying a “rocket powered” kite. (There is really no thrust but it sure looks like it.) This month we performed demo tests for our next project at the new Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, SC, opening in April. We will be providing kite pilot/drivers to perform in a nighttime lagoon show with a single 17’ delta kite. This kite will have our onboard computer/receiver pyro fir- ing system that will fire pyro gerbs (see photo) on cue during an emotional classic rock tune while fireworks, lasers and water fountains surround the lagoon. We will be looking for kite pilot candidates in January. I know, what we do sound like fun, it is fun but our shows are a lot of work also. We have worked at this for over twenty years to be able to do this safely and consistently. Our pilots and drivers have hundreds and hun- dreds of hours of experience. We are thankful however to be able to share our love of kites with the large number of people who see us in these unique venues. Around the world we estimate that about 70,000 people see our kites in the air every single day. It is our hope that this exposure will excite people to make a kite, buy a kite and especially spend more time with their families and friends and kites!

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 29 Some People’s Kids by Rick White

am sure that I the late, great, Charles M. Schulz had no idea what he was birthing in 1950, when he met Rich- ard Curran as a young kid and started a cartoon strip about him. I am pretty sure that was the way it started. I am speaking of course of the Charlie Brown strip called Peanuts. The resemblance they have to each other is uncanny. At least when it comes to their kite flying styles. Richard I am sure that the kite eating tree Curran grew not far from Richard’s home where he was raised. He has carried that theme with him for a while now. At the local kite flys in and around the Seattle area, he is always hands down the winner of the coveted “Charlie Brown” award. Most of us try and avoid trees if we can. But it has only become evident lately that he has been trying hard to win the award all along. I was wondering why Richard was so sad last year at the 2006 Washington David Glasson State International Kite Festival. This year it became clear why. There are no trees at the beach! This year he was noticeably much happier, because he brought his own tree. It was the center piece of his camp. Who else would bring a tree to a kite festival? It all became clear when he went out to the first Mass Ascension and he carried the tree out to the field. Yes, he got his pin for having a flat and bowed kite in the air. There’s nothing in the rules that says it can’t be in a tree! I believe he got all four Mass Ascension pins this year, with the aid of his tree. The “pièce de résistance” came when the fire department came and removed the kite from the tree for him. David Glasson, the finance director for the city of Long Beach, also makes time to be one of their volunteer fireman. He was a good sport, and set the whole thing up. All of this boils down to having fun and showing people a good time. And that, after all, is what kite flying is all about. Having fun, flying kites! Staying mentally healthy! Although in Richard’s case that might not be the best example...

30 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 KAPTIONS Member’s Choice Winners t the end of the Convention at Ocean Shores the mem- Abers join together to celebrate battles won during the previous week. For Kite Aerial Photographers the competi- tion is just beginning. As members gathered at this year’s banquet they were presented with 32 aerial photographs from 13 AKA KAPers from which to choose their favorite. The quality of the competition was probably the best seen to date so the choice was not easy. This year’s winning photograph was taken by Doug Davlin of Pike’s Peak, CO. This was Doug’s first year com- peting. Doug’s picture of the InterContinental Le Moana, a resort in Bora Bora, must have had everyone dreaming for the beautiful waters and sunny skies depicted in Doug’s image. Doug and his wife Ginni had won their trip to Ta- hiti at KAPiCA/06 (see Spring ’07 issue). The trip had been donated by Pierre Lesage, who was last year’s Member’s Choice winner with a photo also from Bora Bora.

Only the first place picture is honored at the banquet, but Second place was a photograph from Peter Dolphin called “Trees and Shadows.” There was a three way tie for third place between Dan Brinnehl’s “Rainbow Ray,” another image from Peter Dol- phin called “Lotus Blossom in Argen- tina,” and Dave Wheeler’s “Currituck Light at Sunset.”

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 31 AKA CONVENTION Workshop coordinator Deb Lenzen.

hat will you remember about Wthe AKA’s 30th annual convention? The days of cerulean blue skies, perfect winds off the ocean, and hundreds of kites in the sky? The days of dark gray skies, vicious winds off the ocean, and drenched kiters huddling inside their raincoats? Twenty giant octopus soaring overhead, or a wispy 11-year-old scam- pering around the indoor arena with a Rev in tow? Sport kite competitions in the rain, or a kitemakers competi- Lee Sedgwick stacks ‘em up. tion inside the convention center? A quad-line kite selling for more than $2500 at auction, or a packed room building free fighter kites? The premiere of The Kite Runner, or of Masaaki Modegi’s new book? A town with three kite shops, or a town with no stop lights? Wet or dry, sun or storm, inside and out, Ocean Shores was a memorable week. iQuad at play.

The record-setting octopile takes shape.

Kite aerial photography by (clockwise from top) Pete Dol- phin, Rick White, Brooks Leffler, and Pete Dolphin.

32 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Francisco Navarro, Aaron Champie, and Mark Quirmbach Cath Shook Show Man In Black: Jim Barber Us Donna Houchins Your Raingear!

Bob Wendt Mike Delfar Cal Yuen Lady In Red: That Was The Monica Barber Sandra McCall Wet Week That Was by Maggie Vohs

You have probably already heard the buzz about the 30th rained a couple of days? No problem for AKA kitefliers; in Annual Convention in Ocean Shores — but if you weren’t a bold move several outdoor events were held in the “very there, you really missed a show! Though each convention AKA convention friendly” OSCC. We found ourselves with is unique, with special qualities of its own, the 30th annual two mass ascensions, kitemaking judging and even the Hot convention really marked itself in history with two events Tricks Shootout in the convention center. that many of us will not soon forget. Monday night the AKA opening reception was held at The premiere of the movie The Kite Runner was held the OSCC, and sponsored by area restaurants. Friends and exclusively for AKA members at the local cinema in Ocean new acquaintances used the time to reconnect and share Shores — a first for the AKA and for Ocean Shores! As you their passion for kiting. Tuesday night was the Competition may know, The Kite Runner, which Indoor Fly which was enjoyed by everyone. chronicles the lives of two children in On Thursday night we had the opening of war-wracked Afghanistan is controver- The Fly Market and Kite Gallery; featuring sial to say the least — and AKA members the beautiful kitemaking of Teizo Hashimo- were the first to view the movie. to. On Friday, the Great Kite Auction; which In addition to the movie, AKA mem- featured one-of-a-kind items and treasures bers were fortunate to witness a world from all over the world was easily one of record-breaking event; 20 octopus kites the week’s highlights and is the largest in the sky at the same time! If you were fundraiser for the AKA. The Saturday night there, you know how spectacular and Awards Banquet recognized and honored magical it was to see those 20 kites, not the best of the best in the week-long flying to mention the fact that they were sur- events. During the Awards program, Dar- rounded by hundreds of others. rin Skinner again did a fabulous Powerpoint Each morning the workshops would presentation that featured pictures from spill over with people excited and archives and the current week’s events. energized by the quality of presenters By Sunday morning members were making and programs. Every evening a different their plans for departure and promising to program was held at the Ocean Shores be in Gettysburg, PA, where the AKA will Convention Center (OSCC) and attend- hold their 31st annual event, September 22- ees were entertained with a cornucopia Vic Eshpeter at The 27, 2008. Mark your calendar NOW! of events. Oh, and did we mention it Kite Runner premiere.

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 33 30TH AKA CONVENTION Grand National Results: Fighter Kites

Experienced Skills Experienced Line Touch Novice Skills 1 Steve Bateman 1 Steve Bateman 1 Carol Jarvie 2 Johnny Hsuing 2 Johnny Hsuing 2 Cat Gabrel 3 Darrin Skinner 3 Carl Anderson 3 Francisco Navarro 4 Sharon Champie 4 Sharon Champie 5 Jay Bell 5 Darrin Skinner Novice Line Touch 6 Nelson Borelli 6 Bill Schumacher 1 Francisco Navarro 7 Jeremy Terpening 7 Bruce Jarvie 2 Cat Gabrel 8 Bruce Jarvie 8 Jeremy Terpening 3 Randy Fox 9 Carl Anderson 9 Jay Bell 10 Bill Schumacher 10 Nelson Borelli Rokkaku battles cancelled due to rain

Miniature Kite Challenge Smallest Flight 1 Jim Martin .49” 1 Susan Skinner (Pansies) 2 Susan Skinner .56” 2 Susan Skinner (Blue Rose) 3 Donna Houchins .938” 3 Jim Martin (Butterfly)

Beauty Originality 1 Susan Skinner (Pansies) 1 Donna Houchins (Dragon) 2 Donna Houchins (Dragon) 2 Donna Houchins (Horse) 3 Donna Houchins (Horse) 3 Jim Martin (We Lose)

34 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 30TH AKA CONVENTION

Edeiken Award We are proud to nominate for the Regional Director of the Year We are writing to nominate for Steve Edeiken Award, Mr. …… well, Linda Sanders, Region Thirteen AKA’s highest honor, one of our most I’m not sure whose name badge he is passionate members. wearing tonight, but his name is Corey Volunteer of the Year He is passionate about all kinds of Jensen. Richard Dermer kites and has sold them for more than - David and Susan Gomberg, Al Sparling 30 years. Eschewing mass marketing Club of the Year and Internet techniques, he prefers to Ingraham Award White Horse Kite Flyers teach customers one at a time. We are writing to nominate for the When power kiting first appeared, Bob Ingraham Award, one of AKA’s most he embraced the new venue and familiar faces. became a leader in the buggy commu- In the earliest years of the Associa- nity. tion, things we now take for granted Linda Sanders In an Association of individuals and were set down as format, policy, and occasional characters, our nominee procedures. Our Nominee served as a stands out more than others. Perhaps Regional Director for what was then it is his big booming voice that he Region Four, for four years. He also uses to announce at events or auctions acted as First Vice President under Red or business meetings. Perhaps it is Braswell and then Bevan Brown. his searing, poignant, and occasionally Our nominee assisted in drafting bawdy stories. Perhaps it is because and then revising our Bylaws. He has White Horse Kite Flyer Doug Jones he wore loud, unique, colorful clothing since served as the AKA’s pro-forma with Past President Susan Skinner. before anyone else did. Or perhaps it parliamentarian. As the Association evolved, so did Lee Toy Circle Award was because he occasionally wore no Ron Gibian’s body of work stands our rules. Our nominee has been clothing at all.... among the greatest kitebuilders of our appointed the Chair of the Bylaws age. The kites speak for themselves. Committee for over 15 years. Innovative in form and construction, And finally, our nominee has at- they are meticulously built and pre- tended Conventions. He has attended cisely put together. Signature shapes each and every of our Conventions. like the Astroglide and Stratoglide are Only two people in the history of AKA as much a part of our kiting lexicon have accomplished this record. as deltas and rokkakus. Ron’s unique For his thoughtful, active, and graphic style is bold and distinctive, ongoing support of the Association, yet through many different iterations covering twenty-seven years, and still it remains instantly recognizable. going strong, we are pleased to There is nothing quite as impressive as nominate Ted Manekin. a group of themed kites in the sky, and with Ron’s work you can organize the spectacle by shape, color or graphic style. I have had the privilege of see- ing it done multiple ways at the same festival. Each of these presentations The Corey-lama draws you in to different aspects of in repose. his work and makes you appreciate It is frightening to think that this the kites again and again. That is the nominee may be a trend setter and hallmark of true artistry. role model among kiters. But the truth I have never met anyone so is that we all emulate him in many relentlessly encouraging and positive ways. toward upcoming kitemakers. Wheth- Our nominee has been a driving er on the microphone, on the judging force in the AKA — especially when we field or with the K-Files column, he needed to get bylaws changes adopted works tirelessly to bring along the next quickly. He led the Association for a generation of kitemakers and to recog- year when no one else wanted the nize those who are achieving kitemak- job and now holds what he says is our ing success. Ted Manekin highest office: past president. - Arnold Stellema, Ronda Brewer, Jeff Erzin

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 35 30TH AKA CONVENTION Grand National Results: Sport Kites

Open Ind. Indoor Ballet Experienced Individual Ballet Masters Individual Precision 1 Shawn Tinkham 83.467 1 William Hendrickson 70.200 1 Daniel Haigh 76.500 2 John Barresi 82.867 2 Richard Mervine 69.933 2 Jeff McCown 74.833 3 Tristan Underwood 81.417 3 Gordon Fry 67.333 3 Patty Tinkham 72.633 4 Wayne Turner 80.067 4 Francisco Navarro 65.067 4 Joshua Gordon 72.567 5 Jon Trennepohl 78.917 5 Donna Houchins 64.867 5 Wayne Turner 71.233 6 Bud Hayes 71.783 6 Jennifer Brown 64.867 6 John Barresi 70.833 7 Patty Tinkham 68.967 7 Jim Landers 63.800 7 Dan Newman 70.400 8 Aaron Champie 62.533 8 Dan Burnham 61.600 8 Zachary Gordon 70.000 9 Francisco Navarro 61.617 9 Bob Bell 59.600 9 John Gillespie 66.300 10 Douglas Coates 51.267 10 Shawn Tinkham 66.167 Exp. Ind. Multi-line Precision 11 Aaron Champie 64.533 Open Ind. Outdoor Unlimited 1 Alison Newman 64.033 12 Darrin Skinner 63.200 1 Amy Doran 80.100 2 Mark Quirmbach 64.000 2 Jeff McCown 77.100 3 Adrian Flanagan 63.067 Masters Individual Ballet 3 Jennifer Brown 75.189 4 Jennifer Brown 60.967 1 Zachary Gordon 84.800 4 Donna McCown 72.067 5 Dan Burnham 60.000 2 Shawn Tinkham 84.667 5 Charles Stonestreet 70.689 6 Aaron Champie 50.867 3 Daniel Haigh 81.467 6 Lam Hoac 68.711 7 Jim Landers 48.167 4 Wayne Turner 78.467 8 Cath Shook 48.067 5 John Barresi 77.733 Open Team Train Ballet 9 Francisco Navarro 41.167 6 Joshua Gordon 76.200 7 Dan Newman 75.933 1 02 76.200 2 Heaven Help Us 70.867 Exp. Ind. Multi-line Ballet 8 Patty Tinkham 74.000 1 Adrian Flanagan 74.733 9 Lisa Root 72.800 Novice Individual Precision 2 Mark Quirmbach 69.933 10 Miguel Rodriguez 71.733 1 Tristan Underwood 72.667 3 Alison Newman 67.067 11 Aaron Champie 68.400 2 Shannon Underwood 71.100 4 Dan Burnham 61.733 12 Jeff McCown 66.600 3 Elizabeth Gordon 50.500 5 Amy Doran 61.333 13 John Gillespie 58.067 4 William Seward 43.667 6 Jennifer Brown 59.200 5 Amy Doran 32.067 7 Jim Landers 58.733 Mast. Ind. Multi-line Precision 8 William Seward 56.400 1 John Barresi 80.433 Novice Individual Ballet 9 Francisco Navarro 56.133 2 Zachary Gordon 80.267 1 Tristan Underwood 65.267 10 Aaron Champie 53.667 3 Shawn Tinkham 76.633 2 Elizabeth Gordon 56.600 11 Cath Shook 53.467 4 David Hathaway 73.333 3 Amy Doran 55.600 12 Charles Stonestreet 52.133 5 Cal Yuen 69.967 4 Shannon Underwood 53.400 6 Wayne Turner 64.000 5 Sandra McCall 49.133 Experienced Pairs Precision 7 Karl Berg 63.400 6 William Seward 45.800 1 Dos Furias 59.633 2 Wing Nuts 57.767 Masters Ind. Multi-line Ballet Experienced Individual Precision 3 MJB 52.367 1 John Barresi 88.600 1 Jennifer Brown 64.967 4 Dos Amigos 51.867 2 Zachary Gordon 85.733 2 Francisco Navarro 61.067 5 SOHR 51.133 3 Shawn Tinkham 85.600 3 William Hendrickson 60.500 4 David Hathaway 82.800 4 Donna Houchins 58.667 Experienced Pairs Ballet 5 Cal Yuen 75.000 5 Jim Landers 55.567 1 Double Trouble 67.600 6 Douglas Coates 68.067 6 Doug Lommel 53.367 2 Dos Amigos 58.667 7 Wayne Turner 66.533 7 Richard Mervine 50.833 3 Wing Nuts 56.800 8 Karl Berg 53.400 8 Douglas Coates 49.400 4 Dos Furias 54.867 9 Dan Burnham 47.000 5 MJB 54.067 Masters Pairs Precision 10 Bob Bell 41.967 1 Fly By Night 86.200 11 Ray Underwood 35.667 2 EOS 84.300 3 Wind Junkies 79.300

4 02 78.500 5 Full Throttle 74.800 6 Wing’N It 60.033

36 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 30TH AKA CONVENTION Chat With A Champion Tristan Underwood looks like he might be 75 pounds soaking wet, which he was most of the week in Ocean Shores. Despite that, the Novice Class sport kite flyer from Langley, British Columbia, caused a stir in Ocean Shores by sweeping the Novice events (including beat- ing his mother) and taking third place in Indoor Ballet. His routines included tricks that many Masters can’t do. Is he the future face of sport kite flying? We asked the young champ a few questions....

Kiting: You’re how old? And you’ve been flying how long? Tristan: I am 11 years old. I have been flying dual for seven years An indoor blur: Tristan Underwood and multi-line for one year. William Seward Kiting: Did you expect to win at your indoor style? Ocean Shores? Tristan: I wanted to be different. I Masters Pairs Ballet Tristan: I hoped to do well because I wanted to be able to do outdoor 1 EOS 90.333 think I won every Ballet competition tricks indoors. I am working on slow 2 Full Throttle 85.267 that I entered in the Northwest. I lost stuff with a Rev indoors. 3 Fly By Night 84.133 once in precision to my Mom. I was Kiting: There’ve been a lot of great 4 02 83.400 first in the league for indoor. I was young flyers who were out of the sport 5 Wind Junkies 79.200 very happyphotos to come by inJim third at Nation- by the time they got their driver’s 6 Wing’N It 72.667 als. The nextMartin nationals Jr. and I go to, I want licenses. How long can your success to win. Jerry McGuire last? Masters Team Precision Kiting: You’ve been beating your par- Tristan: It’s hard to know the future. 1 6th Sense 82.800 ents all year. How are they taking it? For us it is a whole family hobby. My 2 Airzone Flight Team 71.067 Tristan: They don’t really care. They younger brother Cailan, who is seven are proud of me. My Dad beats me years old, started to compete this Masters Team Ballet at precision in Experienced class year. I think as long as we are enjoying 1 6th Sense 80.200 and I plan on really working on that. ourselves we will keep going. We are 2 Smitty & The Girls 63.467 We beat each other at multi line. even starting an Underwood team for 3 Airzone Flight Team 63.200 Kiting: In your ballet, you used next year. tricked that some Masters can’t do. Do Kiting: You hear that, Chicago Fire? Jon Trennepohl other flyers want you to move up? Time to give Elizabeth Gordon a team Tristan: I have already moved up to shirt, and get Woody Wolf onto the Experienced class. My plan is to move practice field! up to Masters next year. I think other flyers wanted me to move up be- cause they thought I was too good for novice. Kiting: Which did you learn first, trick flying or precision moves like square corners and straight lines? Tristan: I learned trick flying first. I thought the tricks were cool. I am working harder on my precision Tristan learns now though. a thing or Kiting: Indoors, you’re moving two about pin across the floor twice as fast as trading from anyone else. How did you develop Corey Jensen.

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 37 30TH AKA CONVENTION Grand National Results: Kitemaker’s

Grand Champion John Pollock (Bowed) DELTA Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 1 Doug LaRock 8.27 7.47 9.30 7.90 32.93 C & G Pennell 7.90 7.10 8.20 6.93 30.13 Highest Score 2 Douglas Coates 7.80 7.33 7.33 6.70 29.17 - Visual Appeal John Pollock 9.13 (Bowed) 3 Ray Bojarski 7.17 7.13 7.63 6.97 28.90 - Flight Jon Trennepohl 8.40 (Bowed) Peter Ross 7.23 7.27 6.77 6.37 27.63 Barb Hall 6.97 7.17 6.73 6.37 27.23 - Craftsmanship John Pollock 9.37 (Flat) Don Guick 6.93 6.93 6.57 6.37 26.80 - Structural Design Tom McAllister 8.53 (Cellular) SPORT KITE Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum Most Innovative Mark Engbaum Trennepohl/Kirk/Dennis 8.07 7.87 9.20 8.40 33.53 Mixed Media Sam, Cari, and Alexa King 1 Lam Hoac 7.83 8.13 9.03 8.27 33.27 2 Kevin Sanders 7.40 7.77 8.63 7.57 31.37 Special Recognition John and Marzlie Freeman C & E Shook 8.13 7.17 8.93 6.80 31.03 Phil Broder 3 Donna Houchins 7.53 7.60 8.20 7.63 30.97 Todd Rudolph 7.83 7.37 8.27 6.70 30.17 Amy Doran 7.57 7.27 7.70 6.70 29.23 Novice Cooperative David Colbert 7.23 7.03 7.43 6.73 28.43 1 John Trennepohl 1 Jon Trennepohl, Pam Kirk, 2 Sam King & Mike Dennis FIGHTER Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 3 Kevin Sanders 2 David & Diane Butler 1 Steve Bateman 7.97 8.17 9.00 8.00 33.13 2 Bill Schumacher 7.33 7.50 7.90 7.20 29.93 3 Cliff & Gerry Pennell 3 Carl Anderson 6.80 7.77 7.17 6.93 28.67 Jeremy Terpening 6.57 7.53 6.23 6.57 26.90 UFO Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 1 Lee Sedgwick 8.33 6.50 8.37 7.47 30.67 CELLULAR/DIMENSIONAL Flight Craft Struc Sum 2 Rich Durant 6.83 4.17 7.33 7.07 35.40 1 Tom McAlister 8.37 8.10 9.30 8.53 34.30 2 Phil Broder 8.47 7.57 8.00 7.27 31.30 FIGURE Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum J & M Freeman 7.73 7.80 8.40 7.20 31.13 1 Ron Gibian 8.70 7.50 9.17 8.37 33.73 C & G Pennell 8.10 7.60 8.40 6.90 31.00 J & M Freeman 7.83 7.20 7.93 6.90 29.87 D & B Wendt 8.00 7.73 7.97 6.67 30.37 2 Gerry Pennell 7.70 7.27 7.47 6.80 29.23 3 Peter Ross 8.10 7.17 7.60 7.00 29.87 3 Don Guick 7.80 7.63 6.57 6.60 28.60 Scott Spencer 7.00 7.57 7.33 7.00 28.90 Ray Bojarski 7.53 7.00 7.07 6.77 28.37 Ray Bojarski 7.37 6.93 7.43 6.93 28.67 Brian Champie 7.10 6.40 7.43 7.43 28.37 Dave Colbert 7.43 7.07 6.83 6.73 28.07 Don Guick 7.27 7.27 6.87 6.60 28.00 Jerald Graham 7.17 6.83 7.03 6.67 27.70 ROKKAKU Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum Ralph Stockbridge 7.10 6.83 6.90 6.73 27.57 1 Alexa King 8.83 7.43 8.73 6.83 31.83 Mark Engbaum 0.00 0.00 8.43 7.77 16.20 2 Sam King 8.60 7.40 8.60 6.90 31.50 3 Mike Shaw 8.20 7.33 7.70 7.00 30.23 H Thomas/PCKA 7.50 7.23 7.60 6.43 28.77 TRAIN Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum Randy Fox 7.30 7.27 6.93 7.00 28.50 1 Bob Lockhart 8.53 8.00 8.63 7.27 32.43 Ray Bojarski 7.03 7.17 7.43 6.73 28.37 2 Kevin Sanders 8.73 7.00 9.17 7.40 32.30 Miriam Schafler 7.33 7.03 6.37 6.13 26.87 3 Mark Engbaum 8.40 7.93 8.03 7.20 31.57 Don Guick 6.77 7.03 6.57 6.17 26.53 Bill Schumacher 6.90 6.43 7.27 6.83 27.43 Mary Farrell 6.67 6.63 7.00 6.23 26.53 Barry Poulter 0.00 0.00 8.27 7.10 15.37 BOWED Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 1 John Pollock 9.13 8.00 9.07 8.13 34.33 2 Barry Poulter 9.03 7.97 9.07 8.00 34.07 FLAT Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 1 John Pollock 8.60 6.97 9.37 7.27 32.30 3 Jon Trennepohl 8.90 8.40 8.40 8.03 33.73 2 Sam King 8.73 7.70 8.70 7.00 32.13 D & D Butler 8.40 7.93 8.77 7.70 32.80 3 Deb Lenzen 8.33 7.60 8.77 7.13 31.83 C & G Pennell 9.10 7.27 8.63 7.23 32.23 Cari King 7.97 7.80 8.30 7.03 31.30 Paul Horner 8.80 7.47 8.43 7.43 32.13 J & M Freeman 8.10 7.47 8.13 6.87 30.57 Kevin Sanders 7.73 7.57 8.90 7.80 32.00 Alexa King 8.40 7.17 7.73 6.97 30.27 Ray Bojarski 8.40 7.87 7.33 7.23 30.83 Ray Bojarski 7.57 7.50 7.57 6.67 29.30 J & M Freeman 7.93 7.27 8.47 7.17 30.83 Phil Broder 7.77 6.93 7.67 6.67 29.03 Cari King 8.03 7.37 7.97 7.07 30.43 Bob Matteo 7.03 6.80 7.23 6.67 27.73 Mike Shaw 7.90 7.57 7.60 6.93 30.00 Don Guick 7.07 7.63 5.87 6.47 27.03 Scott Spencer 7.17 7.57 7.77 7.03 29.53 Paul Horner 0.00 0.00 7.67 7.47 15.13 Bob Matteo 7.63 7.20 7.43 6.63 28.90 Barry Poulter 0.00 0.00 8.17 6.80 14.97 Donna Wendt 7.43 7.20 7.40 6.80 28.83 Miriam Schafler 7.10 7.13 6.77 6.53 27.53 Jean Reed 7.07 6.73 6.93 6.70 27.43 ARCH Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum Don Guick 0.00 0.00 7.00 6.83 13.83 1 Frank Terepka 7.93 7.13 7.47 7.10 29.63 2 Jim Martin 7.37 7.33 7.30 7.33 29.33 Hall & Bernhauer 7.37 6.77 7.40 6.73 28.27 SOFT Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 1 Sam King 8.77 7.83 8.67 7.53 32.80 2 Kevin Sanders 8.23 7.73 8.70 7.67 32.33 SKY DISPLAY Visual Flight Craft Struc Sum 3 Alexa King 8.70 7.80 8.43 7.07 32.00 C & G Pennell 8.63 7.53 8.03 6.97 31.17 J & M Freeman 8.57 7.17 8.30 7.17 31.20 1 Jerry Graham 7.83 7.43 7.33 6.77 29.37 Deb Cooley 8.10 7.30 7.93 7.33 30.67 Barry Poulter 0.00 0.00 8.00 7.27 15.27 Miriam Schafler 7.77 7.20 7.00 6.37 28.33

38 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 nd Sam King’s 2 Dean Jordan and Jenny place rokkaku Cook launch an octopus. Doug LaRock’s humongous 1 Some genki graffiti by John and Marzlie Freeman. st place delta AKA Convention XXX Brian Champie, a.k.a. Thor A Robert Brasington train.

photos by Phil Broder and Mike Hale Cari King’s hata Ron Gibian with a Guatemalan kite in Jose Sainz’s workshop.

Martin Lester iQuad’s “come play with us” policy resulted in this quadline megateam.

Alexa King’s 3rd place foil.

Winter ‘07 - ‘08 | Kiting 39 REGIONaL REpORTS at the American Kitefliers Association National Conference in Ocean Shores, WA, by Douglas Coates, Jackie Lamou- reux, Patty and Shawn Tinkham, Gary Engvall, Dennis Smith, and Karl Berg. When someone asks, “Why should I join the AKA?” tell them that when you visit your local kite store you should make sure you let them know, with pride, you are a member of the AKA and ask for you AKA discount. Winston Churchill once said “Kites are highest against the wind, not with Region 1 ~ New England it.” Do you have a favorite saying or CT-NH-MA-ME-RI-VT-NY quote you would like to share? Greg Lamoureux This is your region. I am looking Region 2 ~ Northeast 293 Nantasket Avenue forward to representing you as Region NJ-PA-(lower) NY Hull, MA 02045 One to AKA. If you would like a note about your club, or event mentioned, Todd Little 781/925-3277 832 Meadow Lane [email protected] send the information to Region1@aka. kite.org. See you on the field! Camp Hill, PA 17011 End of term: 2010 717/975-2852 Hello from your Region One Direc- Greetings and salutations, kiters! [email protected] tor, and thank you for your support. Here’s what’s new in Region Two.... End of term: 2010 As we move forward, I wanted to start You may have seen my e-mail a with recognizing our region. One of while back, but I want to remind you Please note that to see the “Members the interesting things is that we have that there is a new addition to the AKA Only” area of the forum, you need to six kite clubs in our region, Connec- Forum. The KiteTalk Forum is a place sign up with a forum ID and a password tikiters, Great Lakes Kitefliers Society, where you can go to read conversa- of your choosing. Of course I’ll still Harkness Stuntkiters, Kites In Central tions (threads) about all different as- be available to pass on information by New York Skies, and New York Kite pects of kiting. You can post responses e-mail, but now be sure to check the Enthusiasts. For our sport kite enthu- and carry on conversations in the fo- forum too. siasts, contact the AKA’s Northeast rum. Region Two now has its own area In addition to the AKA Forum, Conference Commissioner via e-mail of the forum — the first region to do there are other kite-related forums to [email protected]. Not to be so! This area can be used for posting on the Internet. Steve Ferrel, owner confused with our Eastern League of information for regional activities, of the Kite Studio, in Wescosville, PA, Sport Kite Association, at www.east- information, and just general chat- maintains a forum at Kitebuilder.com. ernleague.net. ting. Other regions can stop by here This forum is geared more toward Region One was well represented to check on what we’re doing, too. making kites, but any kite subject is fair game. Steve, with some input from Cliff Quinn, designed a small banner for forum participants to build and to fly when they’re out on the flying field, to help them identify each other. The plan should be available for download by the time you read this. Each banner can be personalized. Forum members can put their name on the bottom section and a blank white section is for your imagination. Addi- tionally, each banner is a single piece to a puzzle. Banners will fit together with Velcro. When forum members get together at a festival, the banners can be “put together” to form one large display. The Keystone Kiters are working The Eastern League cleaned up in Ocean Shores. on something special for their winter

40 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 there titled “What and gone, summer has blown by in Judges Look For.” the blink of an eye! The Wings Over The session was so Washington WOWsters, and the Rich- popular that it was mond Air Force have been as busy as standing room only. ever through the summer, as usual The workshop was holding down the fort here “at home” scheduled to run for in Region Three, but also traveling two sessions; however around to events in Regions Two, Four, the topic was covered and elsewhere. in the first session. It This summer WOWsters and RAF was then decided to could be found in attendance at the Flying at NYC’s continue and dis- 28th Annual Wright Brothers Kite Festi- Port Authority. cuss all aspects of val in Kill Devil Hills, NC; the Mile High retreat. It may involve several sessions kite building. Topics Kite Festival at Beech Mountain, NC, instead of the usual one day event. included fabric, sparring, structure where the W.A.C.K.O.S. joined in; the Alice Hayden The project is expected to tie in to a designs, tools, equipment, tapes, ad- New Jersey Sport Kite Championship special event to take place at the 2008 hesives, and building techniques. The (NJSKC) at Liberty State Park, NJ; the AKA Convention. audience was so interested that they Asbury Park Kite Festival in NJ; the South Jersey Kite Flyers were busy asked to continue after a quick lunch annual Irvington Grape Stomp at White at the annual convention. Living up break. Everybody shared their knowl- Fences Winery, Irvington, VA; the to their billing as the 2006 AKA Club edge and that’s what makes our hobby Middletown Kite Festival, MD; the New of the Year, their members helped out so successful. York Kite Festival at Rockaway Beach, in many areas. The club once again I’ve heard from Dorit Avnir, a kiter NY; the Edinburg Ole Time Festival, Ed- sponsored a mass ascension pin and who is in training for a Masters degree inburg, VA; the second Coyner Springs the sport kite category trophy in the in art psychotherapy. Dorit is planning Kite Fly near Waynesboro, VA; a fun kitemaking competition. And to top it to write a thesis on the effects and fly at Harford Community College’s off, their members won many awards! potential benefits of kitemaking and Family Fun Weekend, Bel Air, MD; the Congratulations to Pete Dolphin for his flying as a method of therapy, specifi- Richmond/Washington Regional Sport rookie KAP work, a second and third cally within a psychiatric population. Kite Championship, Spotsylvania, VA; place People’s Choice Awards were As this project unfolds, Dorit will be and another of Region Three’s biggest well deserved. Phil Broder placed more than happy to inform us of any festivals — the 30th Annual Sunfest second in the cellular category and developments and share the experi- Kite Festival in Ocean City, MD! Not to received a special recognition award ence with the kiting community. I’ll forget — Canada’s Dieppe International for his announcing prowess. And Phil’s pass along any news of this as the Kite Festival and the AKA Convention, Double Hata and banner donations to project develops. as well! On top of all that, we’ve had the auction brought in an astonishing Finally, Alice Hayden and Glenn some really good First Sunday Flys at amount. Coming up this winter, Scott Davidson were part of a group of the Washington Monument and Dorey Spencer will be presenting a workshop people hired to help do kitemaking Park, Richmond. of a four foot tall Eddy kite with a and flying on top of the Port Authority woven crest in the center. in NYC. In the words of Alice, “It was Cliff Quinn says that he had great pretty awesome.” fun at the convention. He and Deb Von Bokern conducted a workshop Greetings ladies and gentlemen; as your new Region Three Director I would like to thank you for your support. If you did not vote for me I would like a chance to become YOUR representative. Everyone is invited to contact me with ideas about things you want your association to do. Whether it is a renewed emphasis on something we have been doing, or a new idea, if you don’t share it I can’t help you Region 3 ~ Mid-Atlantic with it. I said I would like to increase DC-DE-MD-VA-WV festivals throughout the year and we Will Smoot already have an invitation to support 444 Augusta Farms Rd. one in November, in West Virginia. For more information on upcoming activi- Waynesboro VA 22980 Phil Broder’s ties please check the AKA calendar and 540/471-4949 double hata. the club calendars. [email protected] Well, another quarter has come End of term: 2010

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 41 is planning their annual picnic in January and RAF is planning their Gift Exchange for the early New Year and possibly a kite or banner making work- shop. Lastly, keep some time open for the annual Maryland Kite Society retreat in Febru- ary. Fortunately, winters in Region SunFest: where fun begins! Three are gener- Florida’s Gary Resnick made the Like the Boy Scouts, kiters should ally mild enough to not entirely preclude kiting, so we long journey to Dieppe, New Bruns- strive to always be prepared, as you wick, and then got all his chicks in never know what might happen at an expect to be out and about keeping

Kelly Mayhew Kelly a row. event. Of note this summer, shade kites in the air here and there until canopies were blown over by gusts, a things ramp up again next March. large spikey ball ground bouncer pulled Thanks to Jeff King and Kelly May- its anchor and went for a wild ride hew for contributing to this report. at Rockaway, and, despite Mike Van Finally I would like to thank Doug Meers’ assurances that it would mostly Charleville for his service to the region pass by, the crowd at Sunfest got and the association over the past three heavily rained on for about an hour. years. He has been very active in sup- That didn’t stop the fun though with porting kiters and kite flying. It says a Rev games during the day and the GO lot to me about his success that three FLY band at night, not to mention the of us wanted to follow in his footsteps. night fly. Come to think of it, we got Next time you see him shake his hand rained on and that spikey ball almost and let him know how you feel. pulled loose again during a sudden Challenge the wind! squall while we were enjoying some casual weekend flying at Sandy Point this summer! You just never know! To return to the original point: it has been one busy summer of kiting! And we’re still going strong! As we slip into fall, WOWsters expect to be attending the Sailwinds III Kite Festival at Cambridge on Maryland’s eastern shore; the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia’s Buddy Walk/Fes- Hello there everyone, and Happy tival in Fairfax, VA; the Kensington Kite Holidays to you all! Festival, MD; the Shenandoah Valley I want to thank Mike Agner for his Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival, Long recently completed run as Region Four Branch, VA; and the Second Annual Director. I also want to thank Susan Cape Fear Kite Festival at Wrightsville Skinner for her own service as our AKA Beach, NC. WOW and RAF are look- President. These two nice folks did ing at a new festival near Inwood, Region 4 ~ Southeast what they thought best at what we WV and many members will be at the AL-FL-GA-KY-MS-PR-NC-SC-TN elected them to do, and I myself think Outer Banks Sport Kite Competition at Terry “Teecee” Cornell that’s all anyone can ask for. Thank you, Mike and Susan! the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty 3440 N. Goldenrod Road #1014 Locally, some of us have been busy Hawk, NC. Things should calm down Winter Park FL 32792 for us in November, but during the “off organizing events for the rest of us 407/657-4114 to visit and fly kites at. October saw season,” WOW is hoping to have a kite- [email protected] making workshop or two, and also hop- the latest edition of the Outer Banks ing to get in some indoor flying. WOW End of Term: 2010 Sport Kite Competition in Nag’s Head,

42 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 NC, and the Sunset Flyers Fall Festival ering you, what’s making you happy, in Clearwater, FL. In early November, or anything that affects the quality some of us headed back to North Caro- of your kiting experience in your own lina for the Cape Fear Kite Festival in corner of Region Four. Wrightsville Beach. Organizers, thanks Be well, and go fly something! for all that you do to make our kiting experiences at your events good ones. Looking forward into first quarter 2008, pack your sunscreen and make plans now to go fly sport kites at the St. Augustine Sport Kite Classic, and to go fly anything you want at the Trea- sure Island Kite Festival behind the Bil- Mar Hotel in Treasure Island, FL. Good This low-aspect stuff! beauty from Now let’s talk about Member ben- Michigan’s Jon efits for a moment. I’d like to invite all Trennepohl of you to visit the AKA KiteTalk Forum; snagged him down in the Members Only section the prize as top you will find the Region Four Forum! novice. I have asked for this special little corner of the KiteTalk Forum for one tion in 2008. You will have a blast. main purpose, and that is to make it Region 5 ~ Great Lakes Several events took place since easier to talk amongst ourselves about MI-OH my last report. Kevin Kilgore and the kiting in Region Four. Region Four is a Jerry McGuire members of Black Swamp Air Force pretty big chunk of real estate. We 5031 Mallet Hill Dr sponsored three days of fun flying and are blessed with a longer-than-average Cincinnati, OH 45244 hanging out with friends on July 20-22 flying season, the most flyable beach 513/ 831-8379 at Maumee State Park in Oregon, OH. area of all the Regions, and many [email protected] The North Coast Stunt Kite Games is other attributes that make kiting such End of term: 2008 a very popular event that many fli- a pleasurable hobby/sport/obsession ers make sure they do not miss. The to share with so many others. It only weather was great, the evening meal makes sense to me that we have one Having returned from the AKA delicious, and it was obvious that more line of communication to share Convention in Ocean Shores, WA a few many folks had a great time at the the love, and this is it. days before writing this, I am still in a auction. We are already looking for- As your Regional Director, I am “kiting mood.” Even though it rained ward to next year. your voice to the AKA Board of Direc- all but one and one half days out of six John and Suzette Arnold and their tors. If we don’t talk to one another as while we were in Ocean Shores, spend- many helpers did another “bang up frequently as we can, I am not going to ing time with friends, both old and job” with the July 27- 29 Kites Over be as effective in that role as I can or new, seeing the great kites, observ- Branch County event in Coldwater, MI. should be. Therefore, I look to be us- ing fantastic performances, attending Stunt kite competitions, fighter kite ing this Forum to find out what’s both- interesting workshops, and participat- competitions and single line flying ac- ing in a world record Giant Octopus fly tivities kept attendees and spectators made the week another one to remem- entertained throughout the weekend. ber. I am not yet ready to get back To set the record straight, yes, it was to the “real world.” Region Five was my Manta Ray that went over the well represented at the convention, as fence that surrounds the prison when were most of our region’s registered the wind shifted. No, the guards did kite clubs. And Region Five members not shoot it down. I was able to pull it who entered the flying and building back before it came completely down. competitions did quite well and are to It was another very nice, and occasion- be congratulated. Carl Anderson, Bob ally exciting, event in Coldwater. Lockhart, Peter Ross, Bill Schumacher, The Flag City Kite Fest was held Jon Trennepohl and Frank Terepka August 18-19 in Findlay, OH, in con- all came home with awards. Some junction with the Flag City Balloon of these folks won in more than one Fest. This was the first time for this category. Next year the AKA Annual competition. And some sport kite And baby makes Convention will be held within a one competitors traveled many miles to 21... Jim Martin day drive of most all of Region Five, get to Findlay and pick up competi- adds a mini-octo- in Gettysburg, PA. So, begin now to tion points. Saturday was a beautiful pus to the pile. make your plans to attend the conven- day with not much wind. A nice crowd

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 43 stopped by to watch the competitions, and enjoy the kites and other displays. It rained during the night and the competitions finished up on Sunday in cloudy skies and stronger winds. Spen- cer Schubbe organized and promoted this event. I hear that the sponsors are already planning for next year. I need to apologize to the members of the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites for not mentioning the Cleveland Kite Festival in the last issue of Kiting. This annual festival was held September 8-9 at Lake Front State Park. I heard from sev- eral folks that OSEK staged another very successful event. On the shores of Lake Erie, the location of this festival is usually blessed with decent wind and quite a number of spectators. Thanks to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers who A few of the faces in Bob Lockhart’s first place train. made all of the Region Five events a success in 2007. Be assured that your dedication and efforts are appreciated by the AKA and the many kite fliers who attend your festivals. Great work! Now is time to begin planning for the 2008 kiting activities. A reminder to sponsors and promoters, get your event dates decided upon. And post them on the AKA Calendar early to ensure that your event is listed on the event calendar in Kiting. This also helps to avoid conflicts with other area festivals. Speaking of events in 2008, the Fourth Annual Airwaves Kite Fest will be held at VOA Park just North of Cincinnati on April 5-6, 2008. I hope to see you on a kite field soon. emember...it’sR all about putting smiles on faces.

Hello from Region Six. Convention who also 2007 is one for the books and some had Revolu- familiar names did well in the sport tions in the kite competition. Zach Gordon, Josh air. Other Gordon, Elizabeth Gordon, Mike Delfar, fliers in- Dan Newman and Alison Newman all cluded Yves had to make room in their luggage for Laforest some awards. Congratulations! with one of Back in the Midwest things have the largest been busy, with the Kite Society of inflatable Wisconsin and Illinois holding their star kites th 29 Annual Frank Mots International I’ve ever Kite Festival. This year’s guest fliers seen. The included iQuad, who entertained the KSWI kicks Al Sparling gets barrel-rolled in DeKalb. crowds with their unique routines. off 2008 Quad line flying appears to be gaining with the other members of IKE to visit festivals in popularity thanks to their efforts Cool Fool Kite Festival on January 1st at throughout the region in 2008. and those of other groups like the fli- Milwaukee’s Veterans Park. The Time The Minnesota Kite Society’s Flying ers from the Illinois Kite Enthusiasts, Warner Family Kite Festival returns on Colors met with bad weather this year May 24-25 at Veteran’s Park for more but I’m sure that hasn’t dampened this Milwaukee skyline color. groups spirits. They’ll be starting their Not only were the Illinois Kite year with the Lake Harriet Winterfest Enthusiasts at events in Wisconsin on January 12th and will no doubt be but they also took part in festivals in in good attendance at Larry and Kay Michigan and around their home state Day’s Color The Wind kite festival in of Illinois. Some of those festivals Clear Lake, Iowa on February 16th. The included Naperville last June where town’s population definitely comes out fliers flew to live music and witnessed to check out all the kite-related activi- mother nature’s variety when storms ties at this event. A photo taken from bordered the flying fields. Pontiac also the festival has even graced the cover Region 6 ~ Midwest proved to be a promising new event of the local phone book! IA-IL-IN-MN-WI with a variety of kites and kiters in at- The Wisconsin Kiters have been Robert Rymaszewski tendance, and Dekalb where Al Spar- busy with events like the Dodge County 3266 S. 44th Street ling rolled out the barrel (very large Kite Round-Up this past summer. They Greenfield, WI 53219 ground bouncer) and Daryl Waters also took part in Kites Over Lake Michi- 414/329 9825 surprised us with a visit from Michigan gan in Two Rivers, WI, this past Labor [email protected] adding his octopus kite to Day weekend. In the two years that End of term: 2008 help form a four kite “octopile.” Look this event has been around, organizer for the talented quad-line kiters and Chow Chong has helped it grow into a

44 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 first class kite get together. The Kiters the KCKC help to put lots also took part in the 11th annual Tri- of color in the sky and on City United Way kite fly and kick off the ground displays. At- in Marinette, WI. The Wisconsin Kiters tached is a note we re- start off 2008 with a holiday party on ceived from a visitor: January 13th in Fondulac, Wisconsin “I’m just writing to and follow that by participating in say THANKS SO MUCH for Kites Over The Bay in Fish Creek on a most rewarding Sunday February 9-10. Kites Over The Bay afternoon. Rosemary and has proven to be a favorite for par- I had never been to a kite ticipants. Speaking of favorite events flight event, and were for participants, let’s not forget that amazed at the size, vari- the Midwest Area Kitemaker’s Retreat ety, style, and acrobatics Mike Shaw and Deb Lenzen (MAKR) returns to Northern Illinois Uni- of the kites we saw. The add to their trophy cases. versity on the banks of the Rock River event was made even more in Oregon, Illinois on March 7-9. meaningful to us because a Melanie Walker, Jane Parker-Ambrose Have a great holiday season and lady from Omaha spent quite a bit of and the late Reza Ragheb. It also keep looking up! time explaining a great deal about the featured aerial sculpture by the Rocky kites we were seeing and about kiting Mountain School for the Arts. in general. A friend and I also got to We were unable to attend Conven- help a guy from Kansas City take a tion this year, however, we were proud couple of his huge kites down and pack of our members who attended and won ‘em away. We loved it when the guy trophies. Mike Shaw took a third place with the stunt kite let the little girls in Rokkaku and Deb Lenzen took a on the blanket pretend to fly his kite. third place in Flat. Deb Lenzen served What joy for them, and what amuse- as convention workshop coordinator. ment for all the adults in the area. From what we hear, she and the other We came back to Broken Bow telling workshop instructors did a great job. all our friends what a grand afternoon Randy Fox won a third place trophy in they missed. Novice Fighter Kites. Congratulations Thanks again. to all the new Board Members, and to the new President. We are looking for- Don & Rosemary Davis ward to a new and exciting year with Broken Bow, NE the AKA. Randy Fox sent us his impressions It’s nice to know that the spectators of the Convention: Region 7 ~ Great Plains are able to become part of the kiting “Just back from convention and CO-KS-MO-ND-NE-SD-UT-WY experience. still feeling the high. Being a kite- Donald Murphy On September 8, we attended the maker myself, spent most of my time 9104 Charles Street Prairie Winds Kite Festival in Jackson, at the kite making activities. Because Omaha, NE 68114 MN. It was sponsored by the Prairie of the predicted rain, we did the Ecology Bus Center. Chrystal Dunker, ground judging inside at the conven- 402/391-8503 the director, has organized this event tion center. It turned out to be a great Rick White [email protected] for the education End of term: 2008 and enrichment of the community in Hello Region Seven! this area. It was We have come to the end of our attended by many kiting year. Fall is here, and winter is area families. Many not far behind it. We tried to have our of the kids were able last event today, the Midwest Winds to make their own “One Sky, One World” Fall Festival. But kites, and fly them sorry to say, we were rained out. Oh on the tarmac of the well, there’s always next year. area airport. Since our last article, we have The FHKC of attended some fun events. On Labor Denver hosted an Day Weekend, we attended Kite Fest exhibit at the Denver in Callaway, NE. It was a great week- Public Library for a end with wonderful weather, and great month-long exhibit winds. We had many kite flyers there of Colorado kite art- from all over the region. Members of ists George Peters, Scott Skinner’s blue bird of happiness.

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 45 way to see all the kites assembled and ment suppliers, scorekeepers, oh, you talk with other builders without the know, the MYRIAD “behind the scenes” distraction of kites blowing away or folks! YOU make it all possible for the the surf pounding in the background. competitors to compete, for the public Weather was clear on the second day to come and get exposure to kiting and so flight judging occurred as sched- learn how to appreciate kiting, and uled and wow, did we see some kites! for the kiters to get together to have Never saw so many different types of festivals and competitions! If ONLY kites fly so well all on the same day! it were as easy as just showing up My kite didn’t take any awards but I and flying kites! We all know that the have a really nice kite to fly. I built a background work is what can make or replacement for my royal fox rokkaku. break an event! Big thanks to everyone The last one has stood up well to 12 who put in the months, and sometimes years of flying, rokkaku battles, trees, years of work to make these seemingly thorny bushes, and even a river. Hope- spontaneous festivals run so smoothly! fully, this one will last as well. I spent As always, the AKA convention Friday with the fighter kite folks. was non-stop activity! Although rains What a fun group of people! I ended Region 8 ~ South Central threatened us almost every morning, up taking 3rd place in novice line-touch the organizers of each venue managed and picked up a lot of hints on how AR-LA-NM-OK-TX to keep everything on schedule! I was to do better. Looking forward to next Gayle Woodul pleased that, due to weather, the first year. Hope to see you in Gettysburg!” 106 Main Street day of comprehensive kitemaking was To all of you out there, please Marble Falls, TX 78654 moved indoors. send us all your kiting news of upcom- 830/598-2414 Everyone in Region Eight knows ing events. We want to be sure to get [email protected] that I USED to be famous for sending all these events on our schedule so End of term: 2008 out e-mails entitled “This Month in that we can let others in the region Region 8” and “This Weekend in Region know about them. Gray, Deontae Boswell, Katie Gray, 8”. You also know that, due to organiz- Soon, it will be cold and icy. Our Henry Kitchens, Guy Blatnik, Dallas ers’ canceling events and not telling first event of 2008 will be the Color Oliver, Donna McCown, Jeff McCown, me until AFTER I sent a reminder to the Wind Kite Festival in Clear Lake, and Roger Horne. In Pairs competi- the Region, I had to stop. Soooo... if IA, in February. Try to come to this tions, we saw: Boswell Boys, Windchas- you’d like to have an e-mail sent to one, its well worth braving the cold. ers, and Wind Junkies. For Team, we the Region announcing YOUR event, Lots of space to fly and great people had both Austin EOL (End Of the Line) just let me know — I’ll be happy to to fly with. and Team SPI (South Padre Island). In send it! Instead of doing it auto- Glen Moyer Until next time...enjoy the sky! addition to “The Usual Suspects” in Austin EOL at the Abilene Balloon Festival. As we stomp on into 2008, be Region Eight, you sure to check the AKA Calendar on may notice some the website for events in the Region. new names on Plus, when you’re planning a vacation the competition trip, look to see if there are any kiting line up! Isn’t is events near your destination area or great??? A special even on the journey! If you don’t have congratulations to internet access to check the calendar, NEW competitors ask a friend! As we go to press, I just Katie Gray, Deon- don’t have firm dates or I’d list them tae Boswell, Ben all right here! I KNOW we’re doing Gray, and Henry the B&S Kites South Padre Island Fun Kitchens for not Fly on the weekend of February 2-3; only jumping in lo- Zilker Park in Austin, TX, on the first cally but qualifying Sunday in March; and the Junction nationally! You all Kitemakers’ Retreat on Memorial Day knocked our socks weekend, Friday through Monday, in off! South Central TX. Unfortunately, dates Thanks again for everything else this year are not to the organiz- yet specified. ers, sponsors, Although we only have a few sport field markers, kite comps in the Region, we have field crew, judges, GREAT competitors! The 2007 season field coordinators, saw Individual fliers: Bill Seward, Ben M/C’s, equip-

46 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 designs. The cooler crisp air has hit makers as well as many new novice the Region Nine area, a region that has kitemakers. The sport kite competi- been graced with the ideas and energy tions were running consistently all of Mr. John Barresi for the past couple week with Region Nine pilots scram- of years. So with changes in the works, bling to make it to their next com- John has decided to put his energy into petition at the next field down. John the now well-known iQuad Team. This Baressi won Masters Precision for the internationally-recognized team has fourth year in a row, and brought been entertaining crowds from Padre home the Masters Ballet championship. Island to Niagara Falls to Milwaukee. Some weird Charlie Chaplin guy man- With the new energy it has created, aged to land in 1st place in the Open it leaves John and co-founder David Outdoor Individual Freestyle. If you Hathaway quite busy promoting the can figure out who that is I will hand art of quad kite team flying. So there over a mustache. you have it, and here I am, honored to The Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival have been asked to take the position in October was well attended with of Region Nine director. beautiful weather and winds this year, I am a newbie to this great AKA a far cry from the wet weather that family. It was a great discovery to bore down on it last year. Though the Cat Gabrel warms up her fighter. stumble upon the Lincoln City Kite Fes- high tides were a bit of a challenge, matically, I’ll need a request from the tival four years ago. Since then I have wet shoes were set aside and pant event organizer or point of contact met many creative and knowledge- before sending a notice to the Region. able people. Being a former fine arts Please make sure that the information student, I had always used the canvas is correct and complete. as my palette. It never occurred to me Keep looking up! that two years later I would attempt to transfer my artwork onto the skin of Fall is upon us, and with the a kite. changes of fall have come other In the past few years, I discovered changes as well. Kites have been the many different aspects of kiting: washed and put away. Awards have sport kite competition, the challenge been placed proudly in special places of kite making, festival organizing, to enjoy. Sewing machines are be- and teaching children to build kites ginning to buzz with new ideas and here in the Central Oregon area. I have organized the Bend Kite Festival which drew a crowd of 1000 people at a first time event. You can be assured that this festival will now be an an- nual celebration in late April here in Bend. I made a decision to learn about Montana’s John Pollock won all the elements of kiting instead of Grand Chamion with his bowed concentrating on just one. Of course kite, but this flat self-portrait this decision at times has had me won top prize for craftsmanship. running in circles, but the outcome of that has been good. I hope to share my enthusiasm and energy to keeping you cuffs full of seaweed were rolled up informed, as well as bringing on a new and forgotten. iQuad, Penny Lin- generation of fliers and kitemakers as genfelter, David and Susan Gomberg, Jon Burkhardt well. Dancing Al Washington, Lam Hoac, The Washington State International Barry Poulter, as well as Linda and Kite Festival was a great time for all. Kevin Sanders kept crowds in awe all One rainy day washed us out but fliers weekend. I am sure a bit of giggling Region 9 ~ Intermountain came out as soon as the last raindrop was had watching some of us trying to hit. Our own Ellen Pardee handed stay afloat, but it was all great fun. ID-MT-OR off her well-deserved Super Senior Field Director Ronda Brewer, kept Amy “Mousie” Doran Award to another of our regions finest, things running smoothly, along with 1680 NE Cackler Lane Glenda Kleppin. Congratulations to Bob Wendt doing his wonderful com- Bend, OR 97701 both ladies for their enthusiasm and mentary, while Deb Cooley, Miss Presi- 541/480-1579 hard work. dent of the Oregon Kiters Association [email protected] Region Nine was well represented lead the children’s kitemaking classes. End of Term: 2008 at the AKA convention by master kite The kids had quite a time showing off

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 47 their grand creations under sunny skies “western world,” found filled with fantastic kites. between the floorboards I am giving you early notices for of a home in Holland. the 15th Annual Oregon Kitemakers The person who found Retreat 2008 to be held in Rockaway the kite took it to the Beach, OR, on January 10-13, 2008. kite store. What a smart Get your registration in early as classes person! Peter Lynn fill up fast. This years lineup is fantas- now owns the kite and tic and you won’t want to miss it. For has asked the Drachen more information Contact okr1@com- Foundation for help cast.net or visit the website at www. documenting its authen- The Northwest may soon sink into the Pacific kitemakersretreat.com. ticity. Ali Fujino showed under the weight of all these trophies. I wish you all fine winds and us the kite. It is a Pear smooth running sewing machines this Top and made of paper, Cliff and Gerry Pennell, Heather fall. the tail is twine with small cuts of pa- Thomas, Sylvia Bernauer and Ralph per. It is decorated with small figures Stockbridge were among the kite mak- and a mirrored image of reindeer. I ers. Bill Rogers, Daniel Haigh, Wayne cannot tell you how exciting this was. Turner, Willy Hendrickson, Bud Hayes, The kite is dated 1773. Thank you to all in sport kite division and Bud and Linda, Kevin and Doug who wanted to Lisa Root for indoor. Did I forget Jen- go to Drachen. Thank you to Ali, who nifer Brown? After a few bumps this is always open for visitors and Peter season, she came through with flying Lynn for sharing his kite. colors! You go girl! I am sure that I Ali also told me about a festival in have forgotten some so I apologize. Oaxaca, Mexico next Halloween, 2008. You all are such a talented group to Bats, Spirits and Kites will be flying. keep track of. A BIG CHEER for the Sound like a good festival not to miss. people who put the fields up and take You can find out more information them down, for those who monitor, an- from the Drachen Foundation, www. nounce and judge. Thank you. drachen.org. How can you have any more fun Convention 2007 here in our region than this? Well, it is time to think was great. My favorite thing (other forward to your holidays and the New than seeing kite friends) was the Year. Is it just sneaking in way to fast Region 10 ~ Northwest movie “The Kite Runner.” Thanks to this year??? Don’t forget those won- Phil Broder who came up with the idea derful gifts, like registration at one of AK - WA the conferences, gifts from your local Marla Miller to have Paramount break the movie at convention. I really recommend that kite store, something from the kite 5440 N. 49th Street when it is released at your local the- museum and of course an AKA mem- Tacoma, WA 98407 ater, it is a must see. Maybe we could bership or renewal and raffle tickets 253/752-7051 get a group together for the opening? ($1 a chance) to win next year’s regis- [email protected] Thank you to the Ocean Shores Cinema tration for Gettysburg. End of Term: 2009 for the free pop and popcorn to all The New Year will be time for Beat who attended. the Bowls in Seattle, Oregon Kitemak- The kite guests have all gone and Way to go Region Ten for all the ers Retreat and then Fort Worden the laundry is done. From WSIKF to winners. Not only in Sport Kite com- Kitemakers Conference. Fort Worden Convention we were kind of busy, but petition, but in kitemaking. The Kings, 2008 will be March 14-16. We will be for the good. Estaban and Pedro Gon- Sam, Cari and Alexa, cleaned house on attending and hope to see several of zalaz were here from Spain for WSIKF. awards. Barry Poulter, received the you there. Good choices for classes Getting ready for AKA Convention People’s Choice award. Mark Eng- again and I think that I will be selling our guests were Doug Jones, Charlie baum, Ray Bojarski, Bob and Donna raffle tickets (who would have thunk Sotich, Al Sparling, Phil Broder, Rick Wendt, Jerald Graham, Doug LaRock, it?). Check out the web site www. Hawkins, Scott Spencer and Linda and kitemakers.org. Kevin Sanders from Australia. What a The world’s oldest kite. Don’t forget to do those re- treat for us. “Hello” to all of them. pairs on your kites this winter. Wonder what this has to do with an ar- We all have good intentions; ticle for the magazine? Besides all the maybe this will be the winter to kiting talk and sharing of pictures, we do them. did go to the Drachen Foundation for a May your holidays that you cel- visit. What we saw there was the most ebrate be fantastic and have a fantastic kite I think I have ever seen. Happy New Year. Until next time, It is the oldest kite to be found in the fly often. Linda Sanders

48 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 and Dave Sabalino wowed the crowd on the greens. Jim Strealy conducted the ever-popular candy drops. Rakesh Bahadur helped run some Indian-style kite flying activities. The Bay Area Sport Kite League (BASKL) hosted their first-ever kite festival at Santa Cruz on September 22. The kiting community showed up in droves to help support the Children’s Hospital of Oakland, including Team Santa Cruz bols. Too Much Fun from Down South, iQuad Francisco Navarro and Team Penny Lingenfelter from Up Hello all. I’m back again for anoth- North, and from Northern California; er report and because of all the action the Bay Area Sundowners, Team Air- for me at work I’ve been everywhere Zone, and many other local fliers. For but in my region, but what fun it’s those of you who don’t live in Califor- been. I did manage to make the Seal nia: it never rains from May through Beach event where I had some octopus October. Every year, that is, except Region 11 ~ N. California problems, but even with this it was this one. The fields were set up, the Northern CA-NV a good event with lots of top notch whistles and armbands passed out, the fliers. The crowds really ate up Team John Gillespie brochures stacked and kids kitemak- Too Much Fun and all the demos really 577 Magnolia Avenue ing supplies ready for the masses to were very good. The only trouble was Larkspur, CA 94939 descend on the Boardwalk and witness the octopus that got away and was 415/927-7430 a sky full of inflatable kites, ban- caught in the parking lot, with very [email protected] ners, and team flying. From listening little damage. to announcer Don King, it was indeed End of Term: 2008 Remember that the San Diego Kite a great festival. Huddling under the Club meets the second Saturday of Brian Champie has chosen to relin- dripping awnings, we shared special each month at Mission Bay Park, and quish his post as Regional Eleven Direc- moments with the local seagulls and they are always looking for people to tor after serving seven years. He will each other. The rain abated by early continue being a big part of the North- afternoon, but the wind barely picked ern California kite scene. For his final up. The rok battle, put on by Arnold act as Director, Brian nominated me to Stellema, was an exercise not in serve in 2007-2008 as his replacement. fighting skills but in light wind flying. Thanks, Brian, for your service, good Francisco Navarro provided six new humor, and perseverance. bols for the popular bol races, highly Family Day Kite Festival was held recommended for light wind venues! at San Francisco’s Marina Green Sep- iQuad proved that Revs can be made tember 15-16. This small picturesque to fly in all conditions. Thanks to Jeff venue facing San Francisco Bay and Erzin for all his efforts in coordinating the Golden Gate Bridge packs a lot of this inaugural event. The second an- kites and people together. Dean Jordan nual event is already in the works. of KiteShip rigged a huge kite to a The Northern California Kite Club catamaran hull and blew past the tra- held their annual retreat October 19- ditional sailboats in the bay in all wind 21 near Herald, CA. It was a blend of conditions. KiteShip also tried to tow open spaces, good friends, kite making a 140 ton barge with a 3000 ft2 kite and potluck dinners. with mixed success. Back on land, Troy The next BASKL event is an indoor Gunn, Chris Schulz, Brian Champie, fly on Feb 23, 2008. Check the web Ron Young Ron site (www.baskl.org) for KiteShip speeding on San Francisco Bay. details. Give a kite as a gift Region 12 ~ Southwest this holiday season to Southern CA-AZ-HI someone you just met. It might start an inter- Ben Dantonio esting conversation, and 10793 Jamacha Blvd #5 we may all have a new Spring Valley CA 91978 friend on the field next 619/750-8770 spring. [email protected] End of Term: 2009

Winter ’07 - ‘08 | Kiting 49 Three months have flown by, and we’re just as busy as ever! We, mean- ing Region Thirteen of course. Did you know there’s probably a kite festival Linda Sanders EVERY weekend of the year somewhere in the world? And, since we’re the REST of the world (other than USA) I guess that means WE are the busiest region, right? Kevin and I spent six fantastic days Fighter kite champ Steve Bateman. in Ocean Shores at the Convention and come out and play. This club’s website met many Region Thirteeners including is www.sandiegokiteclub.com and they Rob Brasington of Tasmania, Phillip Mc- always have stuff going on and would Connachie of Adelaide, Canadians ga- be happy to see you. lore! (yes, David Hathaway, you too…) The convention was good and wet and a few Britishers. Region Thirteen but still what fun I had with all of my also cleaned up a swag of awards. friends. I have to tell you that iQuad Check them out at www.aka.kite.org flies no matter what. We did get a few and look out for Members’ Choice Kite days of good weather and made the Accessory — yours truly, Kite Making most of it and even when it rained — Kevin Sanders for Foils, Trains and we all still had lots of fun with indoor Sport Kites, John and Marzlie Freeman Rishal’s foil in Jakarta. stuff and workshops and just being for Special Recognition, and Regional in the company of other fliers. So Director of the Year — yes, Region And down to Argentina with Gus- remember next year we are in Get- Thirteen. Thank you all for your par- tavo. His website is www.elalmadel- tysburg. I really hope to see lots of you ticipation and encouragement! A spe- piloto.com.ar — he’s inviting you to there because we need each other. cial mention to the White Horse Kite check him out. Also keep in mind to try to recruit new Fliers of UK who received Kite Club of September featured a two-day members when you can. the Year. Fantastic efforts everyone. event in tropical Coolum, Queensland [Editor’s note: the southern Cali- And yes, I’ll be in Gettysburg 2008 to Australia… with the Saturday activi- fornia wildfires came very close to the return the wonderful plaque, so why ties interrupted by rain mid-afternoon. Revolution offices in San Diego, but as not make it a plan to join me there? See? Even exotic kite locations get of this writing it appears that ev- August showed how determination rotten luck with weather! eryone was safely evacuated and the produces results; the Scouts Asso- Ever wondered about a kite festi- building is undamaged.] ciation succeeded in Australia with a val in YOUR backyard? Maybe not an “Guinness” World Record: 1127 kites actual AKA Convention (think of all the in the air at one time, all officially excess baggage Regions 1 - 12 would counted and witnessed. Guess they’ve have to take if they wanted to join never been to WSIKF? in!) but start small with your own kite August also gave us Bali Kite gathering and before you know it, you Festival — Peter Lynn and the Austra- could grow it into something magnifi- lians vs. Balinese kite fever! You’ve cent. Even oak trees start from tiny not seen BIG kites until you’ve seen acorns!. Janggans with 200’ tails majestically As always, less talk...more fly.... soaring, and later carried in a proces- [Editor’s note: the Dutch edos sion around the field, at the same time pictured in this report last issue were accompanied by energetic gamelan made by Bas Vreeswijk.] ensembles. They hap- Linda Sanders The gamelan ensemble brings the noise in Bali. pily let visitors join in, so Kevin BOUGHT his own cymbals. Optimism is a common thread; each new day is a life-bonus. Region 13 ~ International Do it, at least once in your lives. Linda Sanders Katherine Felix of Ca- P. O. Box 758 ribbean Kite flyers is now Willunga SA 5172 AUSTRALIA in Barbados looking for (+61) 885-562696 more fliers there. Shall [email protected] we all make that our next End of Term: 2009 holiday destination?

50 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Anke Sauer, Germany Gerard Clement, France Olivier Reymond, Switzerland Jean Lemire, Canada

Team Mangalore, India

Tinkerbell by Olivier Reymond Robert Trepanier, Canada Bas Vreeswijk, Netherlands Who’s Who in Dieppe

Dave Nicholl, Scotland, and Karl Longbottom, Great Britain

Joe Meaux and Mayor Glenn Brasseaux, Louisiana A balmy day for kites in St.-Placide, Quebec.Robert Brasington, William Farber, Australia Tasmania Térèse Uguen, France Terry Thillmann, Canada Colin Mortimer, South Africa

Winter S’07ummer - ‘08 ’07 | | K Kitingiting 51 51

This Will End In Tears It’s been barely a year since the Federal Trade Commission recalled the “Kite Tube,” an inflatable toy that could be towed behind a boat with riders aboard, that would lift off and fly like a kite. . . until it rolled over and slammed the riders into the water. Now, HO Sports has come forth with the WakeKite, which, according to their website, “combines and wakeboarding to create a new big-air experience behind the boat.” WakeKite’s literature comes with a lengthy release of liability and safety instructions. We’ll leave it to you to make up your own mind, but remember, this sort of activity is NOT covered by any AKA insurance.

But Will It Anchor My Octopus? Finally, the automakers Left: Grand Champion have heard our cries for a car John Pollock that’s cool-looking and also has Right: Ben Dantonio, room for our toys. At several car Scott Skinner, Jose shows this year, Mazda unveiled Sainz, John Bar- its new concept car, the Hakaze resi, Ron Gibian, Jon (Japanese for “flying leaf”). Burkhardt, Barry Poul- The crossover SUV boasts a turbocharged engine, body styling based on ter, and Joe Hadzicki flowing sand dunes, and a Bluetooth-based operating system that recog- (kneeling), with the nizes the driver. But best of all, the hatchback has a slide-out floor panel Rev that sold for perfectly sized for kiteboards, kite bags, and all those long things that kiters $2550 in the auction. haul around. Alas, don’t save your money; auto industry insides consider the chances of actual production “slimmish.”

Disaster du Jour Recently, while Pete Dolphin was touring possible World Cup locations in Argentina, a mysterious e-mail arrived that asked, “How do you say ‘I’m sorry I killed your dog’ in Spanish?” We’re sure Above: the Member’s that Pete was able to place Choice winner, by the blame squarely on David Barry Poulter. Gomberg, and that the dog Left: Ron Gibian’s 1st was just faking it. As the photo place snail. at right proves, Pete contin- Far left: this group ues to represent the AKA in collectively spent the suave and debonair style $90,000 on octopus for which he’s always been kites. known.

52 Kiting | Winter ’07 - ‘08 Left: Grand Champion John Pollock Right: Ben Dantonio, Scott Skinner, Jose Sainz, John Bar- resi, Ron Gibian, Jon Burkhardt, Barry Poul- ter, and Joe Hadzicki (kneeling), with the Rev that sold for $2550 in the auction.

Above: the Member’s Choice winner, by Barry Poulter. Left: Ron Gibian’s 1st place snail. Far left: this group collectively spent $90,000 on octopus kites.